Off-colour Reds fall to ruthless Dortmund

FC Bayern fell 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the Supercup final. Paco Alcacer scored the opener early in the second half, Jadon Sancho twisting the knife with 20 minutes to go.

The German record champions started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Süle, Jérôme Boateng and David Alaba in a back four. Thiago anchored a midfield featuring Thomas Müller, Leon Goretzka, Corentin Tolisso and Kingsley Coman, with hitman Robert Lewandowski up front. Alphonso Davies, Renato Sanches and Benjamin Pavard took over from Müller, Alaba and Thiago in the second half.

No goals

The 81,365 full house at Signal Iduna Park saw a high-octane first half with Bayern enjoying most of the ball, but Dortmund had the better chances. 50 seconds had been played when Raphael Guerreiro raced clear to set up Marco Reus, but Neuer kept the scores level with a fine save. Paco Alcacer soon beat Neuer to the ball 40 yards out, but his effort trundled just wide.

Guerreiro forced another fine save from Neuer, but Bayern got a grip on the match now, Lewandowski seeing an effort blocked before netminder Marwin Hitz denied Goretzka, and match official Daniel Siebert blew for half-time.

No silverware

The home side took the lead after the restart, Sancho shining with a mazy dribble before inviting Alcacer to smash home. Bayern almost levelled the scores, but Hitz proved equal to a Coman header before Lewandowski saw his shot blocked. The Ruhr valley outfit doubled the lead when Sancho found himself confronted with space rather than opponents, charged down the right and found the far corner of the net.

Bayern went looking for a reply but, apart from a Pavard cross evading friend and foe, failed to create anything of attacking note, and Siebert blew for full-time.

The Bavarians will be back in action on 12 August, when they travel to face Energie Cottbus in the DFB Cup.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen