WOLFSBURG, Sporting Alert – Wolfsburg carved out a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Bayern Munich to win the German Super Cup title on Saturday.
The sides were all squared at 1-1 at the end of regulation, after Wolfsburg scored a late equaliser to send the game into penalties.
Bayern Munich took the lead in the 49th minute through Arjen Robben after the Dutchman – back from injuries – took advantage of a goalkeeping error to finish off an assisted by Robert Lewandowski.
However, Wolfsburg grabbed a late equalising goal from former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner, who finished from close range off a cross from Kevin de Bruyne.
In the shootout battle, De Bruyne, Andre Schuerrle, Max Kruse, Bendtner and Ricardo Rodriguez all converted for Wolfsburg.
Arturo Vidal, Douglas Costa, Robben and Philipp Lahm all scored their respective spot kicks for Bayern Munich, but Xabi Alonso failed to convert his penalty after goalkeeper Koen Casteels stopped his attempt with a brilliant save.
Wolfsburg were winning the first title of the news season and it sets things up for what is expected to be a battling campaign.
“It was a really great Super Cup with a high tempo,” winning manager Dieter Hecking said.
“Bayern had one or two very good chances on goal – indeed they had more chances overall.
“Overall, though, it was a good performance from my team.”
Bayern Munich’s coach Pep Guardiola, although noted that the winning the Champions League and the Bundesliga crowns were higher on his list, admitted that it was disappointing to lose the Super Cup.
“Obviously the Bundesliga, cup and Champions League are more important, but a title is a title,” said the former Barcelona boss. “It’s a shame.”
Wolfsburg’s impressive efforts in the Bundesliga last season piloted them in the Champions League where they will join Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach in the group stage of the competition.
