RB Leipzig 3-5 Bayern Munich: Mane hits debut goal in pulsating DFL-Supercup triumph

Sadio Mane scored on his Bayern Munich competitive debut as the Bundesliga champions withstood a late fightback to beat RB Leipzig 5-3 in the DFL-Supercup.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side lost Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona recently, but Mane – a €41million signing from Liverpool – suggested he will not have any problems filling the void left by the Poland international.

He slid home from close range in the first half to double Bayern’s advantage at the Red Bull Arena after Jamal Musiala had given the Bavarian giants an early lead.

Benjamin Pavard made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time, with Serge Gnabry adding a fourth after Marcel Halstenberg pulled one back for Leipzig. Christopher Nkunku crashed home from a penalty and Dani Olmo powered home late on as Domenico Tedesco’s men rallied, before Leroy Sane hit a fifth for Bayern with the last kick of the game.

3 – Bayern München are the first side to score three first half goals in a match in the German Super Cup since the competition was reintroduced in 2010-11. Flood. #RBLFCB pic.twitter.com/aeNUu5V6pA

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) July 30, 2022

Bayern were rewarded for a bright start in the 14th minute when Musiala steered past Peter Gulacsi from 10 yards after Leipzig failed to clear a corner.

An unmarked Mane made it 2-0 in the 31st minute with a simple finish from eight yards after he had been picked out by Serge Gnabry. Bayern then appeared to put the game to bed on the stroke of half-time when Pavard slotted home from the impressive Musiala’s pull-back.

Halstenberg reduced the deficit moments after Andre Silva hit the crossbar, the defender sending a looping header into Manuel Neuer’s far corner.

Gnabry restored Bayern’s three-goal lead in the 65th minute with a close-range strike after Gulacsi kept out Thomas Muller’s initial effort. 

Nkunku scored Leipzig’s second in the 77th minute with a powerful penalty after Pavard fouled Olmo, before Spain international Olmo added a third with a cool finish in the 89th minute.

Bayern had the final say, though, when Sane raced clear and slotted past Gulacsi deep into stoppage time to seal a third consecutive DFL-Supercup triumph.

10 – FC Bayern have won the German Super Cup for the 10th time, further extending their record. Bayern have won the trophy in each of the last three seasons, as previously only Bayern themselves had managed to do from 2016 to 2018. Winners. #RBLFCB pic.twitter.com/9Qo0LdLI54

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) July 30, 2022

What does it mean? Bayern attackers make light of Lewandowski loss

Any thoughts Bayern would miss Lewandowski’s goals were dispelled during a ruthless opening 45 minutes.

Nagelsmann’s side scored with all three of their shots on target before the break, becoming the first side to score that many before half-time in the DFL-Supercup since the competition was rekindled in 2010.

It might not be all plain sailing at the back, though, with Leipzig causing plenty of problems for the Bayern defence. Matthijs de Ligt was introduced for his competitive debut late on in the second half and the former Juventus man will hope to ensure defensive displays like this are an anomaly.

Marvellous Musiala

Musiala was sensational for Bayern before his withdrawal on the hour mark. The 19-year-old got Bayern on their way with a composed finish, before playing a key pass in the build-up to Mane’s goal and teeing up Pavard for their third.

Pavard’s mixed game

He scored his first Bayern goal since May 2020 during that rampant first half, yet France international Pavard blotted his copybook with a clumsy foul on Olmo late on, which allowed Nkunku to score from the spot.

What’s next?

Bayern start their Bundesliga campaign with a visit to Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday, while Leipzig kick off their domestic season at Stuttgart two days later.