Bayern Recover to Win Preseason ‘Treble’

Posted: 11:27 pm, August 1, 2013 by Jonathan Harding

Three titles already? This could be another successful year for Bayern. Photo: DPA

In their own tournament, Bayern ran out winners to complete a hat-trick of preseason tournament victories. In the 2013 Audi Cup, Bayern beat a defensive Sao Paulo 2-0 on Wednesday, before coming from a goal down to beat finalist’s Manchester City 2-1 the following evening.

FC Bayern Munich 2-0 FC Sao Paulo
Goals: 1-0 Mandzukic (55’), 2-0 Weiser (86’)

A defensive Sao Paulo side couldn’t hold out for long enough in front of a new-look Bayern team that eventually made their chances count through a Mario Mandzukic volley and a Mitchell Weiser rebound.

With Javi Martinez (centre back) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (defensive midfield) back in the starting eleven, as well as the recently injured Manuel Neuer and Franck Ribery, Bayern were keen to impress after their last outing.

The visitors sat deep and Bayern had to be patient, but soon enough Bayern opened up their Brazilian opponents. 16 shots were fired at Rogerio Ceni in the first half, but the combination of his legs, hands and with the help of some of his defenders, Bayern were left with no goals.

Mitchell Weiser taps in to make it 2-0 against Sao Paulo. Photo: DPA

After all of these chances, it was only a matter of time before Bayern finally took the lead. A short corner routine allowed Arjen Robben to put in a deep cross from the right wing; Dante flicked on and the unmarked Mario Mandzukic was on hand to volley in instinctively at the back post.

Pep Guardiola, sporting a checked shirt, looked as animated as ever on the sidelines. He had reason to remain calm though when Bayern doubled their lead four minutes from the end. Mandzukic’s flick for Shaqiri allowed the Swiss international to burst through on goal. His curling shot hit the post, allowing the on-hand Mitchell Weiser to control and side foot home.

Sao Paulo were awarded a soft penalty a minute later after a push from Jerome Boateng, but the otherwise impressive Rogerio Ceni could only draw a great save from Manuel Neuer. The Germany number one pushed Ceni’s effort onto his left-hand post to keep a clean sheet and delight the majority of the 60,000 spectators in the process.

FC Bayern München: Neuer – Rafinha (90’ Schmitz), Dante (64’ van Buyten), Javi Martinez (64’ Boateng), Alaba (90’ Hojbjerg) – Schweinsteiger (64’ Kirchhoff) – Ribery (78’ Green), Lahm (72’ Weiser), Kroos (67’ Shaqiri), Robben (59’ Mueller) – Pizarro (46’ Mandzukic)

FC Sao Paulo: Rogerio Ceni – Douglas (69’ Lucas Silva), Rafael Toloi (69’ Lucas Farias), Paulo Miranda (13’ Edson Silva), Reinaldo – Rodrigo Caio (56’ Maicon), Wellington, Fabricio (64’ Lucas Evangelista) – Jadson (54’ Ademilson) – Aloisio (78’ Silvinho), Osvaldo (46’ Ganso)

Yellow cards: Kroos - Wellington
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Deniz Aytekin

Mario Mandzukic (right) celebrates scoring the winner against Manchester City. Photo: DPA

FC Bayern Munich 2-1 Manchester City
Goals: 0-1 Negredo (61’), 1-1 Mueller (66’ pen.), 2-1 Mandzukic (72’)

Bayern came from behind to secure their third preseason title. Despite lots of possession, Bayern conceded first before Thomas Mueller converted from the spot and substitute Mario Mandzukic headed in the winner.

Pep Guardiola’s Bayern side looked defensively similar to their semi-finals, but changes – most positional - were made to the rest of the team. The visitors, who had impressively seen off AC Milan 5-3 in the semi-finals, fielded a strong outfit in the hopes of denying Bayern their ‘treble’.

Manchester City goalkeeper Pantilimon was called into action straight from the start, saving well from Franck Ribery, Toni Kroos and Arjen Robben. Thomas Mueller just failed to connect with a Ribery cross as Bayern sought a goal to show for their pressure.

Pep Guardiola is still figuring out what his best XI will be.
Photo: DPA

Having ended the first half on the up after two missed chances from Alvaro Negredo, City started the brighter of the two at the start of the second as well; Manuel Neuer saving well from Samir Nasri and superbly from Negredo. Guardiola responded by making changes, but not even his top-class goalkeeper could deny Negredo moments later as the Spanish striker lashed an effort into the bottom corner.

Bayern didn’t have to wait long for their substitutes to deliver though. Mandzukic put Pablo Zabaleta under pressure, forcing a handball in the box, which Mueller took advantage of by converting from the spot. Six minutes later and Bayern were ahead. A great touch by Boateng allowed Mueller to deliver a superb cross that Mandzukic stooped to head in past Pantilimon.

Shaqiri tried to make it three but City’s goalkeeper denied him, before a determined Mandzukic hit the post after a neat turn and shot. Neuer was called on once more to deny substitute Edin Dzeko from close range as Bayern ended up winners.

FC Bayern München: Neuer – Lahm (90’ Weiser), Javi Martinez (67’ Boateng), Dante (67’ van Buyten), Alaba – Thiago (57’ Shaqiri) – Robben (57’ Mandzukic), Schweinsteiger (62’ Kirchhoff), Kroos (59’ Rafinha), Ribery - Mueller

Manchester City: Pantilimon – Zabaleta, Boyata, Kompany, Clichy – Fernandinho, Barry (46’ Yaya Toure) – Milner, Jovetic (46’ Navas), Nasri – Negredo (73’ Dzeko)

Yellow cards: - Boyata
Attendance: 68,000
Referee: Wolfgang Stark