Supercup preview: Bayern Munich vs. VfB Stuttgart | OneFootball

Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart are set for the 2025/26 season curtain-raiser, when both teams meet in the 2025 edition of the Franz-Beckenbauer Supercup on Saturday, August the 16th. The match will take place in Stuttgart's MHP Arena.

It’s the first edition of the Supercup to bear the name of the late Franz Beckenbauer, a fitting tribute to the legendary “Kaiser” whose influence on German football remains unmatched.

Both teams will face the club they have played the most games against in their history: 162. Bayern came out victorious on 95 occasions (including twice, 3:1 and 4:0, last season), while Stuttgart were only able to win 38 of the matchups.

How did we get here?

Bayern Munich booked their Supercup place by winning the 2024/25 Bundesliga title, adding yet another championship to their record-breaking domestic tally.

Stuttgart, meanwhile, secured their spot in memorable fashion - lifting the DFB-Pokal after a thrilling 4-2 victory over then 3rd tier side Arminia Bielefeld in the final.

Bayern will make their 14th (!) appearance in a Supercup final - they've only ever missed two editions since it's creation: in 2012 and more recently in 2024. The last of Bayern's Supercup wins came in 2022 against RB Leipzig.

Stuttgart on the other hand are going to climb up to 3rd place when it comes to the number of participations: they will make their 2nd appearance, with the first one being last year against Bayer Leverkusen.

The Supercup has often set the tone for the season ahead, and with Bayern looking to assert their dominance early and Stuttgart eager to prove they can mix it with the elite, Saturday’s clash promises to be more than just a ceremonial curtain-raiser.

Transfer drama between both clubs:

The biggest off-field storyline in the lead-up to Saturday’s clash has been the very public tug-of-war over Nick Woltemade. Bayern’s initial bid of €40 million plus €5 million in bonuses was dismissed out of hand by Stuttgart as “laughable.”

A second approach - worth €60 million in total, but tied to salary cuts, performance bonuses, and a sell-on clause - was also rejected.

Stuttgart reportedly want closer to €75 million for their star forward, a valuation Bayern view as excessive. The back-and-forth has turned testy, with Woltemade’s camp accusing Stuttgart of pricing him out of a dream move and Stuttgart standing firm.

In an added twist, there is speculation that Hoeneß could leave Woltemade out of the Supercup squad entirely - either as a disciplinary measure or simply to avoid risking injury ahead of further negotiations.

While there has been no blockbuster direct transfer between the two sides this summer, there is one possible Bayern-to-Stuttgart move still in discussion. Reports suggest that VfB are interested in taking Paul Wanner, one of Bayern’s brightest young midfielders, on loan to help fill the creative gap left by Enzo Millot’s departure.

Millot’s exit - a €28 million move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli - made him the third-most expensive sale in Stuttgart’s history, leaving Sebastian Hoeneß’s squad with a big hole in the centre of the park.

What can you expect?

While the trophy itself is symbolic, the stakes are anything but low. For Bayern, the Supercup is a chance to send a message: the Bundesliga title defence begins now, and any challengers will have to match their intensity from day one.

After a summer of relatively complicated transfer activities and squad changes, Vincent Kompany will want to showcase Bayern’s cohesion and tactical sharpness, particularly in how the new signings Díaz, Bischof and Tah are going to fit in.

For Stuttgart, victory over the reigning champions - especially amid the turbulence of the Woltemade saga - would be a statement that last season’s cup triumph was no one-off and that they plan to reach the top once more this season.

For the fans, this is a fixture with all the ingredients for drama:

When the whistle blows in Stuttgart, the talking stops and the football begins. But make no mistake - the ripples from this match could be felt well into the season.

Predicted lineups:

FC Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1):

Neuer - Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanišić - Kimmich, Goretzka - Karl, Olise, Díaz - Kane

Aleksandar Pavlović, Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies would all be candidates for the starting lineup, but are unfortunately still out injured.

Serge Gnabry received a knock in Bayern's last friendly against Grasshopper Zürich and might be rested for the start of the gamme - especially since Lennart Karl has impressed both fans and headcoach Vincent Kompany during pre-season and looks likely to get rewarded for his performances with a spot in the starting eleven.

VfB Stuttgart (4-2-3-1):

Bredlow - Assignon, Jaquez, Chabot, Mittelstädt - Karazor, Stiller - Leweling, Undav, Führich - Woltemade

Yes, Woltemade is a big question mark as of right now - but if Sebastian Hoeneß wants to go into this match with full strength, he should put his star striker up-front.

Alexander Nübel's participation is not guaranteed, since he's still recovering from injury. Vagnoman, Demirović, Andrés and Darvich are going to play a role in this game, but most likely not from the beginning.