German Super Cup: Bayern punish wasteful Dortmund in 2-0 win

German Super Cup

Borussia Dortmund 0-2 Bayern Munich

Vidal 58', Müller 79'

In the build up to this season's curtain raiser, Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel asked for the club's fans to allow his new signings time to gel. On the evidence of Sunday, it's not time that's needed but ruthlessness.

In sharp contrast, Bayern Munich demonstrated they still have that particular quality in spades. Second half goals from Arturo Vidal, who later limped off, and Thomas Müller were enough to claim Super Cup victory in Dortmund despite the home side dominating for large spells of the match.

Tuchel had appealed for home supporters to back Mario Götze ahead of a potential second Dortmund debut after he left Bayern Munich last month. In the end, Götze occupied an all-too-familiar position on the bench for the entire game, perhaps so Mats Hummels, who went the other way, could be certain all the early booing was for him.

The jeering of a former hero soon turned to support for the current crop as Dortmund had the best of the opening stages. Shinji Kagawa dragged a shot wide after six minutes before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, played in by a raking 70-yard ball from debutant Marc Bartra, was denied by a last-ditch defensive block a minute later. The Gabonese frontman had another chance soon after but fired over from close range.

Bayern grew in confidence slightly after the let offs, Franck Ribery and David Alaba almost combining for a chance before the Frenchman lashed out at Dortmund's Felix Passlack, sparking a breakout of handbags and bookings for Ribery, Passlack and Xabi Alonso, who was among those remonstrating with the referee.

But Dortmund wouldn't let up. Ex-Bayern man Sebastian Rode and Gonzalo Castro were controlling midfield but new signing Ousmane Dembele and Adrian Ramos spurned a series of presentable chances.

They were nearly made to pay in the 38th minute when Javi Martinez broke forward from center back and found Arturo Vidal in acres of space in the box. The Chilean's initial header, from six yards, was brilliantly saved by Roman Bürki before Vidal inexplicably blazed the rebound over from no more than two yards out. For all Dortmund's dominance, it was easily the best chance of the half.

The hosts started the second period as brightly as they had the first, the impressive Passlack stinging Manuel Neuer's palms from close range five minutes in before the lively Dembele forced another save from the Germany keeper after a jinking run.

Bayern are a side that rarely fail to punish profligacy in their opponents and so it was at Signal Iduna Park.

Just before the hour mark, Ribery's reverse pass from deep found Robert Lewandowski - largely anonymous until that point - in space, his cut back eluded Müller but fell to Vidal.

Again the Chilean should've beaten Bürki first time, again he failed to do so. But his second bite of the cherry was much more controlled this time and his sidefoot finish gave Bayern the lead. It was a cruel blow for Dortmund but Bürki may feel he should've pushed the first shot round the post.

The Chilean limped off shortly after, having been caught on the top of the boot with a stud, but the visitors largely kept Dortmund at arm's length, despite the introduction of debutants Andre Schürrle and Emre Mor.

It was Müller, perhaps the man who sums up Bayern's efficiency more than any other player, who sealed the victory, sweeping in from close range after Hummels' rose highest to nod down a corner.

Bayern have lost the last three Super Cup finals before going on to steamroller the league, suggesting not too much can be gleaned from this particular fixture. One thing that is clear is that if Tuchel's team want to beat Bayern, they have to start acting a bit more like them when it really matters.