WOLFSBURG WERE CROWNED DFL-Supercup champions on Saturday as Nicklas Bendtner levelled late on before scoring the winning penalty at the Volkswagen Arena.
Bendtner – who has struggled to establish himself with the DFB-Pokal holders – made his case for a starting berth with a well-taken equaliser followed by the crucial spot-kick amid a dramatic finale as Wolfsburg were 5-4 victors in the shootout.
Arjen Robben – featuring for the German champions for the first time since April after a muscular injury – had given Bayern the lead early in the second half following an action-packed opening period in which both sides spurned opportunities.
For much of the second it seemed a lack of cutting edge would haunt Wolfsburg – who named Kevin De Bruyne in their XI following injury concerns. However, substitute Bendtner was on hand to convert the Belgian’s pinpoint cross following a sweeping counter-attack down the right to take Bayern to penalties.
https://vine.co/v/eHWWQBQvFjq
Debutant Arturo Vidal got Bayern off to a good start in the shootout, but team-mate Xabi Alonso was the only one not to score – Wolfsburg’s reserve goalkeeper Koen Casteels saving well with his left foot in Diego Benaglio’s injury-enforced absence.
It allowed Bendtner to convert the winning penalty and give Dieter Hecking’s men a confidence boost as they seek to run Bayern closer in the Bundesliga this term.
https://vine.co/v/eHWq1Dg3Uwa
