FC Bayern Munchen News

The Germany international could endure a mixed reception from BVB fans against Die Roten, but the defender hopes this is not the case

Bayern Munich defender David Alaba hopes Mario Gotze will be warmly received on his Borussia Dortmund return in Sunday’s DFL-Supercup showdown.

Germany playmaker Gotze moved back to Thomas Tuchel’s side during the close season following a patchy three-year spell with the Bundesliga champions and the rivalry between the two clubs means it is unlikely any love will be lost when they meet at Signal Iduna Park.

Alaba believes Gotze turning out on Dortmund’s home ground once more will make for a memorable occasion for his former team-mate.

And the Austria international hopes he will not receive a frosty reception from BVB fans, who were infuriated by his original decision to join Bayern, which the 24-year-old has since said was the wrong move.

“It will be very special, because of Mario’s return. I hope and wish that the fans won’t boo Mario,” Alaba told Bild. “He did a lot for BVB already and gave some beautiful moments to them. I hope they will be thankful for that.

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READ MORE  | Facing Bayern Munich will be ‘special’ for Gotze

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“I am sure Mario will give them more in the future. The time in Munich was difficult for him because of several injuries. But it’s no secret that he’s a world-class player.”

Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke echoed Alaba’s sentiment and insists his team’s famously vocal supporters should not bear a grudge over Gotze’s time with their arch enemies.

“I never understood why Mario was hated that much,” he said. “Of course we were disappointed. Mario was the heart of our youth work. But he did nothing wrong.”

And Watzke is hopeful the man who scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final can rediscover the form that won him the affections of the Dortmund faithful first time around.

“We hope now that he will be the old Mario from the first day onwards,” he added.

“I hope he will feel to be at home again. This feeling was absent [for Gotze] in Munich.”

The 21-year-old is happy at the Allianz Arena and has no interest in making a move to England in the near future and is delighted to have been compared to Philipp Lahm

Joshua Kimmich is not considering ditching Bayern Munich for a move to the Premier League, insisting the Allianz Arena is more attractive than the English top flight. 

Kimmich, 21, has reportedly attracted interest from several English clubs after impressing for Bayern in 2015-16.

The midfielder made the move to the Bavarian club at the start of last season, moving from RB Leipzig, and featured in 36 appearances across all competitions. 

He was even called into the Germany national team for their Euro 2016 campaign, starting four games as the side crashed out in the semi-finals against hosts France. 

But ahead of the new season, Kimmich insists his immediate future remains in the Bundesliga.

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READ MORE  | Gotze: Facing Bayern is special for me

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“Making a major contribution to Bayern is more important to me than a transfer abroad,” Kimmich told Munchner Merkur. 

“Staying at Bayern is more tempting and more attractive to me.”

The defensive midfielder has received a great deal of praise in his homeland, with his style compared to team-mate Philipp Lahm. 

“That’s a big compliment,” he said. “Philipp has been playing at the highest level for more than 10 years. I myself half only five caps. 

“Philipp is world class, I still have a long road ahead of me.”

The Germany international has returned to his first club after three years at the Allianz Arena, and his homecoming clash comes against none other than Die Roten

Mario Gotze says facing Bayern Munich in the DFL-Supercup will be a special occasion for him following his return to Borussia Dortmund.

The playmaker, 24, re-joined Dortmund on a four-year contract last month after losing his first-team spot during the last of his three seasons at Bayern under Pep Guardiola.

Now back at Dortmund – where he started his professional career – Gotze would relish a victory to mark his comeback in style.

“I am ready and want to play as soon as possible,” the Germany international said at a media conference.

“Sunday is an important game that we really want to win. I hope the sporting aspect will take the main stage, even though it is obviously a special game for me. 

“With the experience I have now, I would make the decision [to leave Dortmund] at a later stage, but I wanted to take the risk at the time and make the next step. Looking back at it, I would have made a different decision now.”

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READ MORE  | Aubameyang: I’m not leaving Dortmund

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Aside from beating Bayern, who have lost their last three appearances in the Supercup, World Cup winner Gotze is targeting regular football in his preferred central position with Dortmund.

He added: “Given that I had a bad injury, I’m delighted to be fit again and I’m looking forward to playing as many matches as possible and to being successful with the team. The objective of every single one of us is to perform to our potential.

“I see myself in the centre, at number eight or number 10. Ultimately it’s the coach’s decision, though. We are very well equipped and I will try to play my part.”

Fellow new signing Andre Schurrle, meanwhile, cannot wait to play for the first time with the Signal Iduna Park crowd behind him when Bayern come to town.

He said: “I’m really excited. As an opponent you look forward to playing there. But now having the fans behind you, I imagine it must be great. 

“I can hardly put my excitement into words. I feel like a small child.”

An injury picked up in helping Portugal to the Euro 2016 title means the Roten midfielder looks likely to miss the start of the domestic season

Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches has been ruled out for up to four weeks ahead of the new Bundesliga season.

The Portugal international joined the German champions from Benfica ahead of Euro 2016 following a breakthrough campaign in Lisbon.

He featured heavily as Portugal claimed their first major honour in France.

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READ MORE  | Hummels expecting boos on Dortmund return

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However, he could miss the start of the forthcoming campaign, having picked up a thigh injury in the final against the hosts.

Bayern confirmed on Sunday that the 18-year-old had sat out of training with his new team-mates as he continues his recovery.

The former Germany boss believes the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder can follow the example of Philipp Lahm in the latter stages of his career

Rudi Voller believes international retirement can help Manchester United misfit Bastian Schweinsteiger continue playing club football at the highest level.

Schweinsteiger called time on his Germany career after the world champions’ Euro 2016 semi-final exit at the hands of hosts France.

The 32-year-old saw his first season at United interrupted by injury last term and he faces an uncertain future, with new manager Jose Mourinho not including him in first-team preparations for the new campaign.

However, Voller, who gave the former Bayern Munich stalwart his international debut in 2004, believes the midfielder should not be written off just yet.

“It is a part of every career that you will become more vulnerable to injuries,” he told Bild am Sonntag.

“Then the question arises, how you will continue. He has to face this challenge and he will face this challenge.

“No matter where his future lies, Bastian can play at least another two years at the highest level.”

Voller cited Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm, who stopped playing for Germany after the World Cup 2014 success in Brazil, as an indication of the benefits of focusing on club football late in a player’s career.

“It will help him that he no longer plays for the German national team,” Voller said.

“At one point it’s just too much to handle. It will benefit Bastian, that this additional burden is gone. Philipp Lahm is the best example for that.”