Michael Olise delivered a decisive performance as Bayern Munich began the new German season with a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Saturday’s German Super Cup.
Fresh from an impressive World Cup campaign with France, Olise emerged as Bayern’s biggest attacking threat, repeatedly causing problems for Dortmund down the right wing.
The Frenchman set up Nathaniel Brown, who was deployed in midfield, to give Bayern the lead in the 28th minute. Olise then doubled his side’s advantage shortly before half-time with a goal of his own.
Dortmund pulled one back late on through former Wolves forward Fabio Silva, setting up a tense finish. The hosts had a chance to equalise in stoppage time, but Maximilian Beier was unable to make the most of a one-on-one opportunity, scuffing his effort as Bayern held on for victory.
Kane hails ‘magnificent’ start
“It’s a magnificent victory to kick off the season,” Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane told Sky. “Winning the trophy away at our league rival’s home stadium is, of course, a great start to the season.”
Bayern were rusty and barely resembled the barnstorming side which lost just once domestically last season but had enough quality to see off a rebuilding Borussia Dortmund team playing in the season opener for the first time since 2021.
The victory meant Bayern won the German Super Cup for the 12th time and a second time in a row since it was renamed after club legend Franz Beckenbauer in 2025.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said the win showed his side had the hunger to repeat last year’s heroics.
“Some people maybe think we’ll have a drop because we won everything last year. But that won’t be the case, we won’t rest and will try to win everything,” Kompany told reporters.
Brown’s role pays off
With new German coach Jurgen Klopp watching on, Bayern boss Kompany pulled a selection shock by naming left-back Nathaniel Brown behind Kane in attacking midfield.
Brown, a summer arrival for Bayern, seemed to struggle in the unfamiliar role early but was on the spot to put Bayern in front. An on-rushing Olise was felled on the edge of the box but the ball fell to Brown, who calmly slotted home.
Ramy Bensebaini looked to have equalised for the hosts when he glanced in a Julian Ryerson cross late in the opening half, but the offside flag soon quelled Dortmund’s celebrations.
Bayern rubbed salt into the wound moments later, just before the break. Olise leapt onto a poor Jobe Bellingham backpass and kept the advancing defenders at bay before slotting home Bayern’s second.
Dortmund fight back after break
Dortmund were better after half-time, mounting a sustained campaign on Bayern’s goal, but the visitors held firm despite wave after wave of attack. Bayern went close to adding a third when Olise found Kane positioned centrally, but the England captain blasted over the bar.
Dortmund finally broke through with 15 minutes remaining, Silva turning in a Daniel Svensson cross after some clever work from debutant Giannis Konstantelias.
Silva had another chance with three minutes remaining but he guided his header into the waiting arms of Manuel Neuer.
In the final minute, Bensebaini saw straight red for a clumsy tackle on Bayern debutant Ismael Saibari. Dortmund still had a chance for a late equaliser but Beier chipped over the bar when one-on-one with Neuer.