Bayern Munich added to their UEFA Champions League success as they overcame Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup in Budapest on Thursday evening.
The Spaniards actually hit the front early on, with Lucas Ocampos striking from the penalty spot following a foul on Ivan Rakitic by David Alaba. Leon Goretzka equalised for Bayern before half-time, with the seemingly outgoing Javi Martinez striking the decisive blow with a powerful header in extra-time.
Here are five things we learnt from the game:
Sevilla spurn late chances to claim victory
But for all of Sevilla’s success in the UEFA Europa League recently, they still have only lifted one Super Cup title, losing the most matches in the competition’s history with five.
That run really should have ended in Budapest with numerous fantastic chances being spurned. Late in normal time, Youssef En-Nesyri really should have scored after breaking up the pitch but was denied by a great save from Manuel Neuer. Joan Jordan really should have picked out the forward with a cross but failed, with Neuer then sticking out a great foot to halt another goalbound effort from the Moroccan.
Having fell to another defeat, those chances will really haunt En-Nesyri and the Sevilla dressing room.
Super Cup follows the trend?
The fact that the game went to extra-time really should not have been a surprise to anyone. Of the last seven UEFA Super Cup clashes prior to this one, five of them have gone beyond the 90 minutes. This includes the last two.
Whether that is down to the respective teams being not quite up to scratch yet with the game being so early in the campaign or the gap between the UEFA Champions League reducing remains to be seen but one suspects that it would be the former.
Lewandowski unfortunate to not earn Ballon d’Or?
In a year that Lewandowski has found the net with as much ruthless efficiency as ever, the decision to not award the Ballon d’Or to the striker seems more and more baffling by the match. The Pole had a wonderful 2019/20, with 55 goals and 10 assists in just 47 matches and got this year’s campaign off to the best possible start with a goal and two assists in his opening Bundesliga match.
That great form continued in Budapest with an absolutely brilliant bit of awareness and skill to tee-up Goretzka for the equaliser. Should he continue that sheer goalscoring prowess and creativity throughout the rest of the new campaign then he will surely be in the reckoning for the Ballon d’Or once again.
Bayern frustrated by refereeing decisions
Throughout the 90 minutes, Bayern actually had the ball in the net on three occasions. An exquisite move between Thomas Muller and Lewandowski ended in the former tapping home and seemingly able to celebrate yet another goal in 2020 but due to being marginally offside earlier in the move, the goal was disallowed.
Meanwhile, the Pole was also penalised soon after, allegedly tripping Sergio Escudero in the penalty area just before Leroy Sane slammed the ball into the back of the net. Whilst Bayern and specifically Hansi Flick will be disappointed with the decisions they were probably correct on reflection.
Supporters a welcome addition
Away from the football, it was certainly a welcome sight to see supporters within the Puskas Arena throughout the game. Whilst understandably not at full capacity yet due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, fans certainly did seem to have an impact on the match. From celebrating the goals, encouraging their sides and also criticising refereeing decisions, players would have thrived off the atmosphere created inside the stadium.
It also signals world football just continuing to creep back to normality in mainland Europe at least, a relief to clubs and players alike.
Match Report
Bayern Munich: Neuer (8); Hernandez (6) (Davies (6), 99′), Alaba (6) (Boateng (N/A), 112′), Sule (7), Pavard (6); Kimmich (7), Goretzka (8) (Martinez (7), 99′); Sane (7) (Tolisso (6), 70′), Muller (7), Gnabry (6); Lewandowski (7).
Sevilla: Bounou (7); Escudero (6), Carlos (7), Kounde (7), Navas (7); Rakitic (7) (Torres (6), 56′), Fernando (7), Jordan (6) (Vazquez (6), 94′); Ocampos (7), de Jong (6) (En-Nesyri (6), 56′), Suso (6) (Gudelj (6), 73′).
Goals: Ocampos (PEN 13′), Goretzka (34′), Martinez (104′)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Yellow Cards: Alaba (12′), Jordan (45+1′), Kounde (55′), Fernando (70′), Hernandez (90+1′), Escudero (119′)
Red Cards: N/A
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
