Budapest: The Puskas Arena witnessed an intense encounter as Bayern Munich beat Sevilla 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup match with the match stretching to extra time. The Bavarian side were pushed to the limit by the Spanish side as the game finished 1-1 after regulation time.
However, it was the veteran Spaniard Javi Martinez who’s header in the extra time proved to be decisive as it clearly broke the spirit of Sevilla’s brilliant resilience which was seen through-out the match.
From the very start of the game, it was evident that Bayern would dominate the possession on the ball with the quality they had in the side, sprinkling passes all over the pitch. However, Sevilla looked threatening especially on the transitions with left-winger Lucas Ocampos constantly causing problems to the Bayern defence as well skipper Jesus Navas who’s work rate proved to be quite useful.
It was his dangerous cross in the box that led to a penalty when Ivan Rakitic was fouled by David Alaba with the Argentine Ocampos making no mistake in converting from the spot making it 1-0. Bayern obviously had the upper hand on the game with Thomas Muller, Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry combining well between themselves to put pressure on the Spanish side.
It was Muller’s brilliant delivery in the box from outside of his boot, laid down by Lewandowski which was finished well by Leon Goretzka making it 1-1. However, at times they looked like that lacking that added edge after the departure of their talisman Thiago Alcantara in the summer.
Sevilla kept the pressure on and stretched the game to the extra time showing how the footballing world underrates them considering their abilities. But, Bayern kept their nerve strong as in the 104th minute, a Joshua Kimmich’s corner not dealt well by the Sevilla defence fell on Alaba whose attempted first-time volley was saved by the goalkeeper Yassine Bonou.
But Martinez headed it into the net on the rebound ensuring that it was Bayern who had the last laugh. Muller was awarded the man of the match award for his great performance with the men in red winning their second UEFA Super Cup title.
