Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 to win German Supercup
Nathaniel Brown and Michael Olise scored in the first half as Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Franz-Beckenbauer-Supercup on Saturday.
First-half dominance in Dortmund
Bayern Munich secured the Franz-Beckenbauer-Supercup on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund. Playing at Dortmund's ground one week before the Bundesliga season opens, the reigning domestic double winners established control before the break. Nathaniel Brown, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for a transfer fee reported between 50 million and 55 million euros, scored the opening goal in the 28th minute on his competitive debut. Michael Olise provided the assist for Brown before scoring Bayern's second goal in first-half stoppage time after intercepting a loose pass from Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham. Manager Vincent Kompany started an attacking lineup featuring Harry Kane, Luis Díaz, and Olise in front of Germany national team coach Jürgen Klopp.
Brown steps into attacking role
Brown started in an unfamiliar central attacking role behind striker Harry Kane rather than his traditional position at left-back. Bayern entered the match without midfielder Jamal Musiala, who was sidelined following a diagnosis of neurological dysfunction after collapsing in two pre-season friendlies. With Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl also absent due to injury and Ismael Saibari not fully fit, Kompany used Brown as an attacking playmaker. Captain Joshua Kimmich noted after the match that Brown possesses a positional versatility similar to former teammate Raphaël Guerreiro.
Kompany praised the debutant's tactical understanding during his post-match press comments.
He is an incredibly smart player. He moves well between the spaces and he scores goals.
Second-half Dortmund pressure and red card
Dortmund improved following the interval as second-half substitutes Giannis Konstantelias and Konstantinos Karetsas tested the Bayern defence. The home side reduced the deficit in the 75th minute when forward Fabio Silva finished a three-pass attack past Manuel Neuer. Dortmund pressed for an equalizer but were reduced to ten men in the 90th minute when referee Daniel Schlager issued a straight red card to defender Ramy Bensebaini for a tackle on Bayern substitute Ismael Saibari. Dortmund forward Maximilian Beier had a late opportunity deep in stoppage time to level the score at 2-2, but sent his close-range shot over the crossbar.
- Nathaniel Brown scores Bayern Munich's opening goal from a Michael Olise assist
- Michael Olise scores Bayern's second goal following a Jobe Bellingham turnover
- Fabio Silva scores for Borussia Dortmund to cut Bayern's lead to 2-1
- Ramy Bensebaini receives a straight red card for a foul on Ismael Saibari
Disciplinary review and league preparations
The straight red card means Bensebaini faces a potential suspension in the DFB-Pokal, which would rule him out of Dortmund's first-round match against fifth-tier HEBC Hamburg on 1 September. Dortmund sports director Nils Book described the dismissal as very harsh, though referee analyst Patrick Ittrich stated that the speed of the challenge justified the red card on the field. Despite claiming the first trophy of the season, Kimmich offered a critical evaluation of Bayern's overall display.
Kimmich highlighted structural issues across both halves of the match in Dortmund.
To be honest, I did not think the first half was that good. Of course we were leading 2-0. But we are still far away from the game we delivered and have a lot, lot of work ahead of us.
Bayern host VfB Stuttgart on Friday to open the new Bundesliga season, while Dortmund continue their preparations for league and cup competition.
