In Germany, the competition started on Wednesday, 13th August the best two teams in the Bundesliga slug it out for the first silverware of the 2014/2015 season.
Following the success of the German national team in FIFA World cup in Brazil, it’s fair to say both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich contributed immensely to the national team selection of players with highest number of players on show for the team in Brazil.
The showdown between the two club sides is becoming the biggest German division match in recent years.
Borussia Dortmund took charge and won the first silverware of the season when they beat the Bavarians 2-0 in a woeful Bayern display.
Losing in the UEFA champion’s league final to Bayern Munich in 2013, Borussia Dortmund also lost their main point man Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich on a free transfer a year after losing Mario Gotze with his release clause activated.
Transfers between the two clubs have caused lot of controversies with the Dortmund chairman recently saying relationship between the two clubs have broken down.
Aside lot of negatives from the match, Bayern Munich’s manager will have to also worry about the injury Javi Martinez picked up during the match and has been confirmed to be out for several months.
Bayern began the game with a 3-4-3 formation and it was evident the formation will cause them more harm than good from the kick off.
Though some of their first team players were unavailable, Bayern could still boast of players like Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller, David Alaba, Robert Lewandowski, Shaqiri, Dante and Martinez who got injured in the match.
Dortmund on the other hand known for playing as a team rather than reliant on individual efforts, were in control of the game with sharp and decisive running from the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Dortmund also had some key players unavailable with Marco Reus, Ilkay Gundogan, Nuri Sahin, Mats Hummels been obvious absentees but their 22 shots during the match with 9 on target to 4 shots and 3 on target played by Bayern clearly shows the dominating side despite Bayern having 61% of ball possession.
Borussia Dortmund were winners of the super cup last year but couldn’t replicate that same form in the league where they struggled to mount any serious pressure on Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich although their inconsistency can be attributed to an injury plagued season.
Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola will definitely go back to the drawing board and see where they have gone wrong.
It’s too quick to say Guardiola is under pressure but a disastrous campaign may possibly see the pressure grow with fans still struggling with their side’s humbling defeat in the UEFA champion’s league to eventual champions Real Madrid.
A good result for Borussia Dortmund on the night but they will need to be more consistent and hope they key players stay fit if they are to be seriously considered major title contenders.
