Budapest (AFP)

Bayern Munich remained on the roof of football Europe by winning after extra time the European Supercup against Sevilla (2-1 ap), Thursday in Budapest in front of a large audience, a first in European competition since March despite an ever-pervasive pandemic.

Between the Luz de Lisboa stadium, lair of the Bavarian coronation in the Champions League at the end of August, and the Puskas Arena in the Hungarian capital, nothing has really changed in the hierarchy of European football: despite an extension, Bayern remained untouchable on the Old Continent, thanks to an unsinkable Manuel Neuer and an improbable Javi Martinez, unexpected decisive scorer (104th) while the press announces his departure for Bilbao ...

The German club hangs a new trophy in its cupboard, its 2nd European Supercup after 2013, the year when the Munich residents had, as in 2020, signed a three-fold Championship-National Cup-C1.

What has changed a lot compared to the Munich success of the summer, is that the Bavarians, undefeated for 32 matches, were able to celebrate in front of - partially - filled stands, and not in front of empty seats as in Portugal .

Because this European Supercup was the first European football event to reopen its doors to fans, UEFA hoping, despite an alarming health situation in Europe and in particular in Hungary, to make it a "pilot project" with a view to a better reception. massive audience in the coming months.

- Atmosphere and show -

Despite many criticisms from Germany - which classified Hungary in a health "risk zone" - the European body has rather succeeded, by managing to enforce social distancing for the 15,500 spectators announced, even if the mask was not kept by everyone.

To relive the unique atmosphere of a usual big continental football meeting, it will probably be necessary to wait, but there was all the same finally the atmosphere in a European stadium, thanks to the local spectators who represented more 90% of the evening's attendance, but also thanks to the multiple speakers placed above the stands to distill a pre-recorded ambient sound at certain hot moments ...

The Hungarian evening was also successful with the spectacle offered by the two teams, both physically present despite a shortened preparation and an overloaded summer.

Sevilla FC, convincing winner of the Europa League in August after successively knocking down AS Roma, Wolverhampton, Manchester United and Inter Milan, may not resume competition until Thursday, it did not happen.

- Heroic Neuer and Martinez -

The former Marseillais Lucas Ocampos transformed a penalty caused by the new recruit Ivan Rakitic (13th), to the delight of some 350 over-vitamin Sevillian supporters who dared to make the trip despite the health constraints including the mandatory presentation of a virological test negative on entry into Hungary.

The Bayern machine had not been conducted in all competitions for eleven games, but the sumptuous goal of Leon Goretzka, after a jewel of handing over to the goal of Robert Lewandowski (34th), was an additional demonstration that this club does not doubt.

The Pole, just named by UEFA among the three contenders for the title of European player of the year, then came close to scoring a magnificent goal in his collective construction, but ultimately canceled by video assistance for an offside position (51st).

The scorer of the C1 final against Paris SG Kingsley Coman absent due to quarantine - he was in contact with a person affected by the Covid-19 -, the hero of the evening was finally called Manuel Neuer.

The German goalkeeper, 34, avoided the debacle for his family by signing two exceptional saves in front of Youssef En-Nesyri (87th, 102nd).

In extra time, he was replaced by a man who was no longer expected, Martinez, who was playing there perhaps his last match with Munich - his transfer to Bilbao is announced by many media - but found the resources to score of the head.

It's hard to finish your adventure better with this club, which is still hungry for titles.

© 2020 AFP