Bayern Munich beats Schalke 04 to win German Super Cup

Posted on August 8, 2010 by SoccerPunter

Bayern Munich won the first piece of silverware of the new German season by beating Schalke to lift the Supercup in Augsburg.

Both coaches fielded their strongest side despite the fixture coming a fortnight before the start of the Bundesliga season, and it took some time for the game to spark into life.

When it did, it was the defending champions who prevailed over last season’s runners-up with goals from World Cup stars Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose earning the double winners victory.

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal took the game seriously despite branding it a disturbance in his side’s pre-season preparations.

Germany internationals Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Klose, Muller and Holger Badstuber were all named in his starting XI, while former Real Madrid star Raul made his competitive debut for Schalke.

Despite playing without the injured Arjen Robben, the besieged Franck Ribery and a resting Mark Van Bommel, Bayern were still too strong and triumphed with late goals from German World Cup stars Thomas Mueller and Mirsolav Klose.

Muller, fresh from winning the Golden Boot and best young player award at the World Cup, showed he was more than ready for the new season early on as he took on two defenders before setting up Schweinsteiger, whose shot was saved by Manuel Neuer.

Bayern held onto possession well during the first half and restricted Schalke to only one effort on goal, a header from Raul which flew wide.

There were two excellent chances early in the second half as first Bayern and then Schalke went close to breaking the deadlock within the space of 60 seconds.

First Klose broke free but hit his shot against the post before Schalke raced up the other end of the field where Raul’s diving header forced a one-handed save from Thomas Kraft.

Van Gaal was forced into an attacking change when Martin Demichelis limped off with 20 minutes remaining. With no defenders on the bench, the Dutch coach brought Jose Ernesto Sosa on and the impromptu attacking gamble paid off.

Five minutes later Bayern were in front when Klose raced clear of the defence and beat Neuer to the ball to set up Muller to score into an open net.

Klose added a second in the 81st minute with a simple tap-in from close range after Ivica Olic weaved into the penalty area and slid the ball into his team-mate’s path.