RB Leipzig wins Supercup
Kane’s debut brings FC Bayern a huge disappointment
08/12/2023, 10:38 p.m
The debut of record-breaking new signing Harry Kane ends with a huge disappointment for FC Bayern Munich: RB Leipzig clearly beats the German champions in the Supercup and wins the first title of the season.
The Allianz Arena shook when Harry Kane came on as a substitute and was finally allowed onto the lawn. “Harry Kane, Harry Kane,” roared the Bayern fans. But even the most expensive footballer in the history of FC Bayern Munich could not prevent the DFB Cup winner RB Leipzig from Munich’s euphoria with a surprisingly mature 3-0 (2-0) in the Supercup on his debut on the day of his commitment rejoined. The first national title of the season goes to Saxony.
Three-time goalscorer Dani Olmo became the second star of a remarkable evening in the first competitive game of the season – as a ripped-off match-winner. The 25-year-old Spaniard defeated Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich twice on Saturday evening (3rd/44th minute) and then again from the penalty spot (68th). The 75,000 spectators did not experience a Kane party, but an Olmo show.
Kane lurks in vain
Nevertheless, the summer day in Munich was marked by the Kane hype. Harry here, Harry there, Harry everywhere. On Saturday night, the transfer saga for the first 100 million man in 60 Bundesliga years came to an end with Kane’s signature on a four-year contract. And FC Bayern’s hoped-for new super nine announced that he could hardly wait to “show my qualities on the pitch, hopefully score a lot of goals and make the fans happy”. He didn’t succeed right away, the captain of the English national team, who had come from Tottenham, lurked in vain in the penalty area.
Before the kick-off, Bayern’s bosses and the coach, who was not at all satisfied in the game, expressed their pride about the transfer coup. Tuchel spoke to the TV station Sat.1 of a “statement” on the transfer market. “Harry has that certain something and I hope he will show that.” CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen admitted that the record champions “went a bit all-in” on the target Kane.
Olmo plays big
It all went all-in in the Supercup duel on the grass without Kane as the main attraction. 84 days after their 3-1 win in the final spurt of the Bundesliga, Leipzig turned out to be resolute spoilsports when they met again – despite the loss of a number of top players in the summer. But one stayed – and he played big. Olmo duped the Bayern defense right at the start and then really scored the goal to make it 2-0. Bayern captains Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller watched the goal after an elegant turn in the penalty area in amazement as spectators in the lower tier of the stands.
Bayern dominated the game, but Leipzig acted more harmoniously, gripped duels and determined in front of goal. On the other hand, Bayern’s storm talent Mathys Tel missed two big chances in the first half after preliminary work by Serge Gnabry – and everyone in the stadium thought: Kane would have done that. The guests were also lucky that the ball landed on the post and not in their own goal when Mohamed Simakan defended (28′). The dissatisfied Tuchel reacted at half-time and made three changes. He brought the defense giant Minjae Kim, who also cost 50 million euros. And he pushed the offensive power by taking out newcomer Konrad Laimer and making captain Joshua Kimmich the only six. In the 63rd minute, Kane came along – but the turnaround didn’t materialize.