The first competitive match of the 2025/26 German football season ended in dramatic fashion at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, where FC Bayern Munich defeated VfB Stuttgart 2-1 in the inaugural Franz-Beckenbauer-Supercup 2025Stuttgart. The match, played on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 20:30 CET, wasn’t just a season opener—it was a statement. Bayern, chasing their 33rd domestic trophy, faced a determined Stuttgart side hungry to prove they weren’t just cup winners by accident. And at the center of it all? Nick Woltemade—the striker whose transfer saga dominated headlines all summer.
The Woltemade War
Call it what you want—transfer drama, psychological warfare, or a tactical masterstroke—but the Woltemade war was the storyline no one could ignore. Nick Woltemade, VfB Stuttgart’s 22-year-old central striker, started the match despite persistent rumors that FC Bayern Munich had offered €40 million for him. He didn’t score, but he held up play, pressed relentlessly, and forced Bayern’s defense into three critical errors in the first half. Fans in the stands chanted his name every time he touched the ball. Some called it a distraction. Others, including Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß, called it leadership. "He’s not just a player," Hoeneß said post-match. "He’s the heart of what we’re building. And tonight, he showed why we won’t let him go without a fight."
Bayern, meanwhile, had their own narrative. Vincent Kompany, in his first season as head coach after replacing Julian Nagelsmann, had spent the summer reshaping his squad. The arrival of Harry Kane from Tottenham was supposed to be the crowning jewel—but his first competitive goal for the club didn’t come until the 57th minute, a clinical header off a Kimmich corner. It was his 18th goal in his last 12 club matches across all competitions. Still, the question lingered: was this the Bayern of old, or a new, more disciplined version?
Lineups, Absences, and the Goalkeeper Confusion
Stuttgart’s starting XI—4-2-3-1—featured an unexpected backline: Josha Vagnoman and Jeff Chabot flanking Luca Jaquez and Maximilian Mittelstädt, with Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller shielding the defense. In goal? Fabian Bredlow, a 22-year-old academy product stepping in for the injured Alex Nübel. That’s right—Nübel, the club’s first-choice keeper, was sidelined with a hamstring strain, and the club didn’t sign a replacement. Bredlow made two vital saves in the 28th and 42nd minutes, keeping Stuttgart in it.
Bayern’s lineup was star-studded: Manuel Neuer in goal, José Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in midfield, and a front three of Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, and Kane. But the injury list was long: Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, and Aleks Pavlović were all out. Even more oddly, FotMob briefly listed Jonas Urbig as Bayern’s starter—a claim flatly denied by the official FC Bayern Munich website. Neuer, 38, played 90 minutes. No signs of fatigue. Just calm authority.
The Goals and the Cards
The opening goal came in the 21st minute. A long ball from Kimmich found Olise on the left. He cut inside, drew two defenders, and slipped a pass to Gnabry, who finished low past Bredlow. Stuttgart equalized just before halftime—Woltemade’s clever flick in the box found Jamie Leweling, who slammed it home with his left foot. 1-1. The crowd erupted.
The second half was tense. Yellow cards flew: Upamecano (36’) for a reckless tackle, Mittelstädt (45’) for dissent, Olise (45’) for simulation. Then, Kane. The 31-year-old Englishman, who had been quiet for 55 minutes, rose above Chabot at the far post after a perfect Kimmich delivery. The ball kissed the crossbar, then dropped. The net rippled. 2-1. The stadium fell silent. Only the Bayern bench celebrated.
Stuttgart pushed hard. Woltemade had a header cleared off the line in the 78th minute. But Bayern’s defense, led by Upamecano and Jonathan Tah, held firm. Final whistle: 2-1. Bayern lifted the trophy—its first silverware under Kompany, and the first ever named after Franz Beckenbauer.
A Legacy Honored
The Franz-Beckenbauer-Supercup 2025 was more than a match. It was a tribute. Beckenbauer, the legendary captain of West Germany’s 1974 World Cup team and Bayern’s 1970s European Cup-winning captain, died in January 2024 at age 78. The German Football Association renamed the traditional Supercup in his honor—a move that sparked debate. Some called it excessive. Others, like former Bayern captain Lothar Matthäus, called it "long overdue." "He didn’t just play the game," Matthäus said last month. "He redefined it. This trophy? It’s not just for the winner. It’s for the soul of German football."
What’s Next?
With the Supercup settled, the Bundesliga kicks off on August 22, 2025. Bayern hosts Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Stuttgart travels to Eintracht Frankfurt. But the real story isn’t the fixtures—it’s the tension beneath them. Woltemade’s future remains uncertain. Bayern’s new spine—Kane, Kimmich, Neuer—is starting to click. And Stuttgart? They didn’t win the trophy. But they proved they belong in the same room.
Key Players and Substitutes
- VfB Stuttgart starters: Fabian Bredlow; Josha Vagnoman, Luca Jaquez, Jeff Chabot, Maximilian Mittelstädt; Atakan Karazor, Angelo Stiller; Chris Führich, Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling; Nick Woltemade
- Bayern Munich starters: Manuel Neuer; Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Josip Stanišić; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka; Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Vinícius Júnior Díaz; Harry Kane
- Stuttgart subs: Ramon Hendriks, Stefan Drljaca, Lorenz Assignon, Pascal Stenzel, Finn Jeltsch, Chema Andres, Lazar Jovanovic, Ermedin Demirovic, Nikolas Nartey
- Bayern subs: Minjae Kim, Noussair Mazraoui, Jonas Urbig, Tom Bischof, Sven Ulreich, Jonah Kusi-Asare, Lennart Karl, Wisdom Mike, Raphaël Guerreiro
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Supercup renamed after Franz Beckenbauer?
The German Football Association renamed the Supercup in January 2025 to honor Franz Beckenbauer, who died in January 2024. Beckenbauer was a World Cup-winning captain, a European Cup-winning coach, and a symbol of German football’s golden era. The move was widely supported by former players and fans, though some critics questioned the timing, arguing it should have been done while he was alive.
How did VfB Stuttgart qualify for the Supercup?
VfB Stuttgart earned their spot by winning the 2024/25 DFB-Pokal, defeating Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the final on May 24, 2025, at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. It was their first domestic cup win since 2007 and their first appearance in the Supercup since 2019.
What’s the significance of the Woltemade transfer saga?
Nick Woltemade, 22, had been linked with Bayern Munich all summer, with reports of a €40 million bid. Stuttgart refused to sell, and his decision to start the Supercup despite the rumors sent a powerful message. His performance—pressing, holding up play, creating chances—made him the match’s most talked-about player, even without a goal. His future remains unresolved as the Bundesliga season begins.
Was there confusion about the goalkeepers?
Yes. FotMob incorrectly listed Jonas Urbig as Bayern’s starter and Alex Nübel as Stuttgart’s. Both were wrong. Manuel Neuer started for Bayern despite his age, and Fabian Bredlow, a 22-year-old academy keeper, started for Stuttgart after Nübel’s hamstring injury. The official club websites confirmed the correct lineups, and the confusion was quickly corrected by major media outlets.
What does this result mean for Bayern’s season?
The win gives Bayern momentum, but the real test is consistency. Harry Kane scored his first goal, and Kimmich looked sharp, but the defense looked vulnerable at times. With Davies and Musiala still out, Kompany’s squad depth will be tested. Winning the Supercup is symbolic, but the Bundesliga and Champions League are the real targets.
How does this match compare to past Supercups?
Historically, the Supercup was often a formality. But this one felt different. Both teams were motivated—Bayern for legacy, Stuttgart for validation. The absence of star players due to injury, the emotional weight of Beckenbauer’s name, and the Woltemade drama turned it into a narrative-rich contest. It was the most compelling Supercup since Bayern beat Dortmund 3-1 in 2018.
