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As his teammates cheered, the FC Bayern hero was offside.
Javi Martínez seemed almost a bit shy as the silver cup made its way through the rounds of the record champions, as the usual fragments of confetti chimed.
The Basque had made sure shortly before the Munich team won the European Super Cup after the triple. Martinez headed in what was probably his last competitive game with Bayern after eight years and led the decisive goal in the thrilling 2: 1 (1: 1, 1: 1) nV against tough Europa League champions FC Seville.
Seville dangerous to the end
With his second triumph in the game of the giants, Munich made perfect the “quadruple” in the farce of Corona in Budapest, as in 2013.
In a “final” for tactical gourmets, national player Leon Goretzka (34th) tied the early lead of Lucas Ocampos’ uncomfortable Andalusians (13th penalty).
Defense chief David Alaba had caused the penalty. In the final stages and overtime, the Munich favorite pressed for the decision in their first game in front of the fans since March, but Sevilla were extremely dangerous. Youssef En-Nesyri hit the post (92º). Martínez (104th), who is about to return to Athletic Bilbao, redeemed Bayern.
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15,180 spectators, including several hundred Munich fans, defied the fear of an “Ischgl football” and cheered for their favorites in the Puskas Arena.
Alaba conceded penalties
UEFA’s pilot project to return spectators to the risk zone had drawn much criticism. There was talk of an irresponsible “human experiment”. “Don’t think we are doing it for money,” UEFA coach Aleksander Ceferin said, defending his “test balloon” and emphasizing: “It costs more than we win.”
As a fan, coach Hansi Flick stopped immediately before kick-off. Heaven on the other hand, “he would not have driven.” And on the grass he also saw things that he did not like.
Alaba, who was ordered by Flick to return to the starting lineup after muscle problems and the ongoing discussion about extending his contract, hit former Schalke Ivan Rakitic in his own penalty area. Ocampos gave goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who in vain scolded Rakitic, no chance with his deliberate low shot.
For the German record champions it was the first deficit in competitive play since the beginning of June. At times, the Munich team had greater problems with Sevilla’s brave style of play, which was characterized in part by great pressure. The Champions League winner only found his usual dominance with difficulty, the side play with the new dream duo Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry worryingly paralyzed at first.
Bavaria suffers to the end
Thomas Müller (22nd), Benjamin Pavard (26th) and Robert Lewandowski (30th) gave away the first good chances. After a good Müller chip, the Polish striker deftly set Goretzka to level.
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic stressed that Bayern wanted to “send a signal to Europe” again just 32 days after the triumph in Lisbon. But even after the break, Sevilla got off to a better start: former Gladbacher Luuk de Jong forced Neuer to make a strong save (46th).
Soon after, Bayern applauded the supposed opening goal, but Lewandowski was a foot away when Müller passed (51.). Sane’s goal (63rd) did not count either, because English referee Anthony Taylor had previously acknowledged a Lewandowski foul. Salihamidzic protested loudly and saw the yellow card.
Anyone who believed that Sevilla would break down in the first official match after the final victory over Inter Milan (3-2) more than four weeks ago was wrong. The Europa League record winner kept the level tactically high and let Bayern suffer. Neuer brilliantly avoided a possible windfall from En-Nesyri (87th).
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With sports information service (SID)
