Best team lost Super Cup

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan claimed the wrong team won the German Super Cup on Saturday.

Arch-rivals Schalke triumphed 4-3 on penalty kicks against the reigning Bundesliga champions after a lively match surprisingly ended scoreless after 90 minutes.

“I believe that Schalke’s win is undeserved,” the former Nurnberg man told Sport.de.

“I lost count of how many clear-cut opportunities we managed to pass up.”

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp was rather less confrontational despite seeing his side lose, acknowledging that some aspects of his side’s play still need to be fine-tuned before the league kicks off in two weeks.

“I am not unhappy. We knew beforehand that everything cannot be perfect. Despite that, I think that we have witnessed a superb game of football.”

Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick heaped praise upon goalkeeper Ralf Rahrmann following his heroics.

Fahrmann made two saves in the shoot-out as Schalke earned their first-ever Super Cup victory.

“Ralf Fahrmann played an immense game. He also gathered a lot of confidence from his team-mates,” Rangnick said.

Reflecting on the match as a whole, the coach was pleased, but admitted that Schalke have some distance to go before they hit top form.

“That was the right benchmark. It was clear that we could not keep Dortmund from coming up with opportunities for 90 minutes. But the bottom line is that the lads have done well.

“We still need to use the two weeks leading up to the start of the league; it’s good that we still have some time.”

Fahrmann himself was delighted with the result.

“The victory is satisfying, just super,” he said.

When asked for his thoughts about filling in for departed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, he replied, “I will do my best to fill this gap in the coming season.”