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The farewell present: FC Bayern only fell behind in a competitive game for the third time in 2020. Sevilla FC led by a Lucas Ocampos penalty (13th minute), despite a clear increase in chances, was only enough for the triple winner to draw by Leon Goretzka (minute 34). The European Super Cup went into extra time and then Javi Martínez arrived. The Spaniard, already on his way to Athletic Bilbao, entered as a substitute in the 99th minute and headed in after a shot from David Alaba to win.
The result: The Munich team won 2: 1 (1: 1, 1: 1) thanks to Martinez’s goal and secured the least important European title for the second time since 2013. Read the match report here.
hope in Uefa-Art: “We want to bring hope.” That’s what UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in the run-up to the Super Cup. In view of the crown situation in Budapest, it could hardly have been thicker. The Hungarian capital is a risk zone for the federal government, which is understandable given a seven-day incidence of more than 100 infected people per 100,000 inhabitants. 16,000 spectators had been admitted by Uefa, 15,180 had attended.
First half: After the Ocampos penalty, Bayern soon returned to dominate the game. They had more possession (65 percent), made almost twice as many passes, made seven shots on goal. And yet there was the feeling of seeing a true Bayern rival on the pitch again. Sure, that was also the case in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, but was otherwise rarely the case recently. Goretzka’s compensation (34th) was worth it from the start, which no one should have paid for infection protection: Thomas Müller landed Robert Lewandowski with the outer instep, the striker landed directly in the rear and Goretzka pushed on his feet.
Change: It will be an important part of sports coverage in the coming months: How many viewers will be allowed? What is the current development of the crown at the site? And how do the fans behave in the stadiums? The television director of the Super Cup kept thinking about pre-Crown times and showed the stands in both goals. This swing did not last long, however, fans cheering without distance, UEFA did not want to show.
City center: In Spain there is a lot to gather before the champions are not Real Madrid or FC Barcelona. They know it in Seville and they have made a virtue of it: the club has won the Europa League six times in this millennium. The team is very experienced, tactically very flexible and difficult to beat in European matches. Against Bayern, Sevilla managed to paralyze the center around Joshua Kimmich and Goretzka with a high willingness to run. That was a practical lesson for the Bundesliga and the key to a balanced long-term result.
Second half: Bayern scored two goals and yet went into extra time. Attention turned to referee Anthony Taylor, who first scored Lewandowski’s surprisingly casual goal, the Pole having previously been offside with one toe (53rd). It is said that Lewandowski was the one who fouled former Schalke Sergio Escudero before Leroy Sané’s goal (66th).
Greetings to Salihamidzic: Hansi Flick is unlikely to admit it, but this game gives the Bayern coach enough arguments to emphatically repeat his sporting director’s desire for reinforcements. Thiago is in Liverpool, the magnet ball would have been the protagonist in a match like this. Sevilla’s tactic of hitting the center also worked because Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernández were two wingers who are not known for their sprints behind the defensive chain. Apart from Martínez, Corentin Tolisso, Alphonso Davies and Jérôme Boateng, there were only three experienced professionals on the bench. With the abundance of games in the coming months, this list will not be enough.
That is why Neuer is the one who wins the most: FC Bayern have been discussing for weeks whether David Alaba will extend his contract. Presumably it’s about money, perhaps recognition as well. The Bavarian argument: Manuel Neuer receives the most generous salary, and it should stay that way. Now, goalkeepers rarely have the chance to distinguish themselves in everyday Bundesliga life. That night he had it. In the 89th minute, Youssef En-Nesyri ran towards Neuer alone, the goalkeeper stood for a long time and directed the ball around the post. In extra time it was the Moroccan who appeared free against Neuer, again the Bayern captain retained the advantage (92º).
