Berlin (AFP)

Bayern Munich, winner of the German Super Cup 3-1 on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund, will try to start their league season Sunday at home against Cologne, after a 1-1 draw at Mönchengladbach on Matchday 1.

In search of defensive stability after the departures of Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Javi Martinez, the Bavarian club will be able to count in central defense on its German internationals Niklas Süle and French Dayot Upamecano, transferred to the offseason from RB Leipzig for around 43 M EUR .

"We defended very well, we were aggressive. + Niki + and + Upa + were solid behind. It's a step forward for both", welcomed their new coach, Julian Nagelsmann, after the victory on Tuesday against Dortmund.

Due to the absence of the French world champion Lucas Hernandez, who had knee surgery in early July and in the recovery phase, the duo, nicknamed "Sülemecano" by the German media, has the opportunity to work on their complementarity.

"It was not easy during the preparation, everything had to be set up from scratch," admitted Süle, criticized last season for his lack of form.

After a complicated first against Gladbach, Upamecano made up for it by brilliantly containing, during the Supercopa, the star of the Bundesliga, the Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.

French Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano recovers the ball in front of Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhauz on Bundesliga Matchday 1 on August 13, 2021 in Moenchengladbach Ina Fassbender AFP / Archives

- Haaland is going on a mission again -

Mute Tuesday for the first time this season after a treble in the German Cup and a double in the league, Haaland will try to resume its march forward on Saturday on the ground of Freiburg.

Norwegian Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland thanks the supporters despite the home loss to Bayern Munich (3-1) in the German Supercup final, August 17, 2021 Ina Fassbender AFP / Archives

After a show of force on the first day against Frankfurt 5-2, Dortmund on occasion in case of victory to consolidate its place at the top of the standings.

RB Leipzig, another favorite for the title but defeated at the opening by Mainz, won widely at home against Stuttgart (4-0).

Marcel Sabitzer's teammates, a time announced at Bayern by the German press and entered during the match, were able to count on Dominik Szoboszlai already in good shape, author of a double.

Emil Forsberg and André Silva, on penalty, increased the score in favor of Leipzig.

The joy of Austrian Leipzig midfielder Marcel Sabitzer after opening the scoring against Arminia Bielefeld in their Bundesliga match on March 19, 2021 in Bielefeld Ina Fassbender POOL / AFP / Archives

In the other matches, Hoffenheim, runner-up to Stuttgart after the first day thanks to its very clear 4-0 victory against Augsburg, welcomes the Union Berlin on Sunday, in confidence after having swept away the modest Finns 4-0 on Thursday. of KuPS in play-offs go to the Europa Conference Conference.

Wolfsburg, eliminated this week on the green carpet of the German Cup for having made one change too many, but who appealed against this disqualification, moves to the Hertha Berlin field on Saturday.

© 2021 AFP