Schalke win Super Cup on penalties

Schalke won the German Super Cup 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Kevin Grosskreutz and Ivan Perisic had penalties saved for Bundesliga champions Dortmund, with goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann, brought in to replace Manuel Neuer, the man to deny them for Schalke.

Lewis Holtby, Edu and Benedikt Howedes all netted their spot kicks for Schalke, before Jurado sealed it for last season’s German Cup winners.

The game got off to an exciting start as Dortmund created their first real chance after five minutes.

Ilkay Gundogan took a corner kick on the right and his cross found Robert Lewandowski in the penalty box, who in turn hit the post with a header from seven yards out.

Schalke’s answer came 10 minutes later when Benedikt Howedes headed over the bar from close range after managing to squeeze past Mats Hummels and Felipe Santana.

Dortmund slowly began to take control of the game, creating two great chances just before the half-hour mark.

First, Chris Lowe went close with a fine shot from the left side of the box, following a delightful one-two with Shinji Kagawa, and then Gundogan tried his luck from 15 yards out, but Fahrmann stood strong to parry his shot.

Jurgen Klopp’s men enjoyed their best chance of the first period moments before the half-time whistle when Robert Lewandowski was denied by Fahrmann in a one-on-one.

The second half picked up where the first ended with Lewandowski culpable again for a glaring miss.

The Polish striker was released by Mario Gotze with a delightful through-ball, but shot just wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Schalke were forced to defend deep in the following minutes, and had Howedes to thank in the 57th minute when the centre-half somehow managed to clear Kagawa’s cross, narrowly denying Lewandowski.

Gotze missed a glorious chance shortly afterwards when he failed to beat Fahrmann with a low finish from outside the box.

Schalke were not without opportunities and did threaten through Holtby, while substitute Jan Moravek also failed to beat Roman Weidenfeller.

But despite the teams’ best efforts, the scoreline remained unchanged, forcing the contest to be settled on penalties.