Bayern Munich eased past VfB Stuttgart 2-1 on Saturday, thanks to goals from Harry Kane and new signing Luis Diaz to lift the German Super Cup.
The Bavarians were sharper throughout, and their keeper and man-of-the-match, Manuel Neuer, was in fine form less than a week before the Bundesliga season starts.
“I think about the team and to play as best as possible in order to be successful,” Neuer said.
“We did that today. It’s nice to be man of the match, but it’s always about the team. We did it well. We won all the matches in pre-season and we want to carry this into the Bundesliga season next week,” he added.
ALSO READ | Haaland bags brace as Manchester City starts season with statement win over Wolves
With all eyes on Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, who Bayern is keen to sign, last season’s Bundesliga top scorer Kane pounced on a defensive error by Luca Jaquez to give Bayern an 18th-minute lead.
German Cup winner Stuttgart went in search of a quick equaliser, and Woltemade went close, only for his point-blank shot to be saved by Neuer.
The 39-year-old keeper again came to the rescue in the 75th when he showed good reflexes to palm away a deflected shot wide before Colombia international Diaz scored with his first effort on goal, heading in a Serge Gnabry cross 13 minutes from time.
Stuttgart grabbed a stoppage-time consolation through Jamie Leweling’s close-range header.