The lineups are in, the fans are buzzing, and the stage is set for a footballing spectacle as VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich square off in the very first Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, a match steeped in emotion and legacy as it honors the late “Kaiser” of German football.
Despite a rollercoaster offseason marked by misfires in the transfer market, Bayern Munich arrive with momentum on their side. The reigning Bundesliga champions sailed through their preseason, posting a perfect 3-for-3 record. Wins over Olympique Lyonnais (2-1) and Grasshopper Club Zurich (2-1) bookended a dominant 4-0 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur in the Telekom Cup, hinting that Thomas Tuchel’s men are starting to click into gear.
And now, they’re rolling out the standard starting XI, with newly minted star Luis Díaz making his official debut after a high-profile move from Liverpool FC. The Colombian winger is expected to inject pace, flair, and goals into a Bayern side that, while reshuffled, still oozes quality across the pitch.
But don’t count out VfB Stuttgart just yet.
Fresh off their fairy-tale DFB-Pokal triumph, Stuttgart are out to prove they can hang with the elite. With home support roaring behind them and a squad full of youthful exuberance and hardened veterans, the underdogs will look to spring a surprise and write a new chapter in their resurgence.
Prediction: Bayern’s firepower may simply be too much. Expect Stuttgart to put up a fight, but the Bavarians should edge it with a 3-1 victory, powered by their attacking trident and midfield dominance.
Bragging rights, silverware, and the memory of a legend are all on the line. Let the battle begin.
