Bayern Munich clinch narrow win against Dortmund to clinch Supercup
Bayern Munich kicked off their new season in the best possible way as they won the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Goals from Nathaniel Brown and Michael Olise helped Bayern clinch a 2-1 victory and lift the first silverware of the season.
Vincent Kompany made some interesting team selections for the game against Dortmund. Brown made his competitive debut in the number ten position behind Harry Kane. Josip Stanisic started in the left-back position instead of Alphonso Davies.
Bayern started the game strongly, dominating possession and pinning Dortmund in their half. The hosts struggled to initiate attacks as Die Roten implemented an effective press to ensure the ball was won quickly and higher up the pitch.
The visitors’ positive start to the game was eventually rewarded in the 28th minute. Michael Olise brilliantly controlled a long pass from Joshua Kimmich and held the ball in the box before laying it off for incoming Brown. The German international finished the move with a composed finish. A perfect competitive debut for the summer signing.
Luis Diaz came close to doubling the lead a few minutes later. The Colombian took on his man and used him as a decoy to curl the ball from the edge of the box. His shot was brilliantly parried away by Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund had the ball in the net three minutes before the half-time whistle through a set piece, but the goal was chalked off as Ramy Bensebaini was marginally offside when the ball was delivered in the box. Nathaniel Brown also had a terrific opportunity at the other end of the pitch, but his shot narrowly missed the target.
Die Roten eventually doubled their lead through a moment of magic from Michael Olise. Just before the half-time whistle, Olise pounced on a misplaced pass from Jobe Bellingham in the center of the park. The French forward carried the ball in the box, withstanding pressure from defenders and then cleverly flicking the ball past Kobel to make it 2-0 for Bayern.
Dortmund bounced back in the second half
After going 2-0 down in the first half, Dortmund came up with a much better response in the second half. They forced an early save from Manuel Neuer in the second half after executing a neatly worked set-piece.
Bayern struggled to regain momentum, but they did manage to keep the ball and limit Dortmund to limited clear-cut chances. Midway through the second half, Dortmund finally got the opportunity to get back in the game. After a neat bit of link-up play between Giannis Konstantelias and Daniel Svensson, the latter squared the ball for Fabio Silva to finish the move from close range.
Dortmund went a man down in the closing stages, as Bensebaini was sent off after he made a dangerous challenge on Ismael Saibari in the center of the park. Olise had a chance to put the game beyond Dortmund in the added time after Diaz found him at the halfway line with a pinpoint accurate pass. However, the French winger’s eventual attempt in the box was saved by Kobel.
Bayern managed to see out the rest of the added time and deservingly won the game to lift the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.
