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Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich face DFB Pokal winners Stuttgart at the MHP Arena on Saturday evening in the season’s traditional curtain-raiser, the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup – the first time the late German great’s name adorns the trophy.
Bayern are looking to add to their ten triumphs in the current iteration of the competition, with Stuttgart attempting to win their first since 1992.
Taking into consideration the transfer drama that has unfolded in the background of both clubs’ summers over a certain Nick Woltemade, it feels as though more is at stake on Saturday than usual.
Bayern will be eager to assert their dominance over the rest of the Bundesliga for the coming season by beating one of the teams hoping to upset them. Stuttgart, however, will relish the chance to prove they can consistently mix it with the best.
Vincent Kompany’s side were slightly disappointed with their quarter final exit from the Club World Cup to PSG. Since then, however, they have played three friendlies and secured victories over Lyon, Tottenham and Grasshoppers.
Bundesliga top scorer of the last two seasons, Harry Kane will provide a constant threat in and around the box. He is likely to be backed up on the wings by new signing Luis Díaz who will be keen to impress, and last season’s Rookie of the Season winner, Michael Olise.
After a successful mini pre-season following the Club World Cup, the young trio of Jonah Kusi-Asare, Lennart Karl, and Tom Bischof could all be given minutes on the pitch by Kompany.
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Stuttgart will be pinning their hopes on star man Nick Woltemade. Supporting the 23-year-old will be Chris Führich and Deniz Undav, who scored 27 Bundesliga goals and provided 12 assists in his first two seasons at the club.
Die Schwaben will undoubtedly feel the loss of Enzo Millot, having lost the star midfielder – who scored twice in the Pokal final in May – to Saudi club Al-Ahli. Angelo Stiller and club captain Atakan Karazor, however, will provide a solid centre of the park.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Hoeneß was in a bullish mood, stating: “Last year we got a taste of it and were close. This time we want to win the title.”
Not underestimating the strength of the record champions though, he went on to say: “We’re playing against one of the best teams in Europe, but it’s about a game over 90 minutes and possibly a penalty shoot-out. We have to rise above ourselves and be ready.”
GGFN | Harry Good
