Late Stranzl strike sends Stuttgart into German League Cup final

A last-minute goal from Martin Stranzl sent VfB Stuttgart through to the League Cup final with a 2-1 win over holders Bayern Munich and made it a triumphant return to Bavaria for Giovanni Trapattoni on Tuesday night. Bayern took an early lead with a...

A last-minute goal from Martin Stranzl sent VfB Stuttgart through to the League Cup final with a 2-1 win over holders Bayern Munich and made it a triumphant return to Bavaria for Giovanni Trapattoni on Tuesday night.

Bayern took an early lead with a Roy Makaay header but Thomas Hitzlsperger's long-range blast brought Stuttgart level in the 21st minute.

Makaay missed a penalty nine minutes from time before full-back Stranzl converted with the last attack of the game, following a great piece of hold-up play from Denmark striker Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Italian coach Trapattoni, who had two spells at Bayern before returning to Germany to take over at Stuttgart last month, will lead his side into the final in Leipzig on August 2 against Schalke 04. The latter beat Werder Bremen 2-1 in last night's other semi-final.

The Bundesliga season begins on August 5.

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