Lewandowski calls for Bayern reinforcements after Super Cup loss

Bayern's Robert Lewandowski has called for reinforcements after their loss in the German Super Cup. Photo: Martin Meissner/AP Photo

Bayern's Robert Lewandowski has called for reinforcements after their loss in the German Super Cup. Photo: Martin Meissner/AP Photo

Published Aug 4, 2019

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BERLIN – Borussia Dortmund claimed the first silverware of the

season with the German Super Cup on Saturday while Bayern Munich's

reaction to the 2-0 defeat was mixed.

"I think we turned in a decent display, not a very good one, but

decent," said Bayern coach Niko Kovac. "We were dominant, we made two

mistakes Dortmund capitalized on. We failed to take our chances,

which is why we lost the match.

"We're in the fourth week of pre-season. It was the first match where

everyone played 90 minutes, you can't expect more in this situation."

Kovac's assessment is not completely false but perhaps a little

generous. Dortmund could have scored through Marco Reus inside 60

seconds and missed the better chances before Paco Alcacer and Jadon

Sancho struck for victory in the second half.

Bayern in contrast struggled to create many clear opportunities

and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski renewed his demand for action

in the transfer market.

"You could see that we have problems," said the forward. "The young

players who were on the bench have potential, that's true. But

sometimes you just need players on the bench who can help immediately

or give a stimulus."

So far this close season Bayern have signed two World Cup winning

defenders - Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard - and young striker

Fiete Arp.

The long pursuit of Manchester City winger Leroy Sane is ongoing as

Bayern have still not adequately replaced the departed Franck Ribery

and Arjen Robben.

"My opinion remains exactly the same," Lewandowksi said. "Today was

exactly the right time to see what happens if we have a certain

number of professional players."

None of Bayern's new trio started the match and only Nico Schulz of

Dortmund's arrivals was in their first eleven.

Essentially Dortmund's team from last season beat Bayern's team from

last season at home - as they did in the Bundesliga only to finish

two points behind the Munich side come May.

"If things continue like that until the end of the season, I'll take

it," said Reus, who cautioned: "It goes without saying that the match

is not a real benchmark for the season.

"But it was still a spectacular game, we were more effective and

deserved to get the victory too."

Dortmund beat Bayern in the 2013 and 2014 Super Cups only to make no

real impact in the Bundesliga title race.

But with Mats Hummels, Julian Brandt and Thorgan Hazard all boosting

their squad, they will hope to have addressed the lack of depth which

cost them last term.

"We want this high-level competition for places," said Reus. "We have

a major objective for this season and we'll only achieve it

together."

The real action starts next weekend when Dortmund travel to Uerdingen

in the German Cup and Bayern visit Energie Cottbus. The Bundesliga

then begins the following weekend.

But perhaps a more significant date is the September 2 end of the

transfer window - only when Bayern's squad is complete will Dortmund

truly be able to consider their chances of a first title since 2012.

dpa

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