Bayern Wins Supercup to End Dortmund Hoodoo

Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the German Supercup on Sunday, ending a run of five consecutive defeats to the league and cup champion.

Offseason signing Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring in the sixth minute and helped Bayern extend its lead five minutes later when he found Arjen Robben. The Dutchman's effort hit the post but Thomas Mueller converted the rebound.

Poland striker Robert Lewandowski pulled one back for Dortmund with 15 minutes remaining to set up an exciting finish.

But Bayern held out for its first win over Dortmund since a 3-1 victory on February 13, 2010, and its first title since the same year — also the Supercup, Germany's traditional season opener.

"We were completely asleep for the beginning," said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp, who was earlier named coach of the year for leading his side to the double. "We needed to be woken up. The two goals were fair punishment."

Dortmund defender Neven Subotic was at fault for Bayern's opening goal when he failed to deal with a cross Franck Ribery delivered with the outside of his boot.

Mandzukic, who signed from Wolfsburg for a reported €13 million ($16 million), nipped in ahead of Mats Hummels to finish with aplomb.

Playing in place of the injured Mario Gomez, the Croatian striker almost scored again two minutes later, when his effort was deflected onto the roof of the net.

Gomez knows he has serious competition for a starting place after watching Mandzukic — who was impressive throughout — provide a perfect through ball for Robben.

Robben's chip over Roman Weidenfeller came back off the upright for the well-placed Mueller to leave Bayern firmly in control.

Dortmund gradually came into the game, but failed to register a single shot on target in the first half, compared to seven for the home side.

"If you look at the first 20, 25 minutes you'll see where we need to improve," said Marco Reus, Dortmund's €17.5 million signing from Borussia Moenchengladbach. "But we showed we can play differently in the second half."

Lewandowski had his side's first chance three minutes after the break, with Manuel Neuer saving his header from a corner.

Reus, who was earlier named Germany's player of the season, went close shortly afterward, but the visitors lacked the fluidity and precision with which they defended the Bundesliga title and brushed Bayern aside 5-2 in the German Cup final in May.

Robben drew a good save from Weidenfeller in the 65th, before Lewandowski scored with a superb effort inside the right post.

Then Julian Schieber might have equalized with Dortmund substitute Mario Goetze also going close, before Robben could have wrapped it up at the other end.

"Of course it's good for us psychologically to win the game in our stadium," said the relieved Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes.