Borussia Dortmund took the lead against Bayern Munich three times in the DFB-Supercup on Sunday, but their arch-rivals clawed back to take home the first title of the season 5-4 on penalties (2-2 after full-time) and their manager, Peter Boss, rued their inability to see out the game.
Christian Pulisic’s 12th-minute opener had given Die Borussen the perfect start but their former striker Robert Lewandowski levelled proceedings soon after and then Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the hosts the lead with an exquisite chip with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Dortmund couldn't hold out, however and Joshua Kimmich forced an own-goal from Lukasz Piszceck two minutes from time and the tie went to a shootout.
"If you're 2-1 up with two minutes remaining, then you have to win the match. But we didn't," criticised the Dutch tactician said, adding: "We were in the lead on three occasions if you include the penalty shootout. That's why we're disappointed".
Kimmich had missed his spot-kick to give Dortmund the lead but Sebastian Rode fluffed his lines to keep the sides on equal terms and with Bayern shooting first, the initiative was handed back to the Bavarians.
And when Niklas Sule cooly dispatched his effort past Roman Burkl, Dortmund’s hopes rested on Marc Bartra, but the former Barcelona defender had his shot saved by Sven Ulreich to give Bayern the victory in a nerve-racking shootout.
"Borussia put in a good performance," said Bosz's opposite number Carlo Ancelotti.
"It was an open game and difficult like we expected. And we know that penalty shootouts are a lottery," he added.
Dortmund’s next game is in the DFB Pokal, an away trip to lower-league side Rielasingen-Arlen on Saturday while Bayern travel to third-division team Chemnitzer on the same day and both sides will look to avoid an embarrassing upset.