David Alaba counts cost of Mario Gotze exit for Borussia Dortmund
Friday 22 July 2016 11:11, UK
Bayern Munich defender David Alaba is coming to terms with the loss of an "important player" following Mario Gotze's decision to re-join Borussia Dortmund.
The 2014 World Cup winner called time on his stint in Bavaria on Thursday to return to Dortmund, three years after enraging fans by leaving the Westfalenstadion for Bayern.
While he excelled on the international stage for Germany during his time with the Bundesliga champions, Gotze's performances at club level failed to scale such heights.
Marred by injury that saw him overlooked at times by head coach Pep Guardiola, the 24-year-old has opted to rekindle his career at the club where he spent 12 years as a youth and first-team player.
And, speaking to Goal, Alaba reflected on Gotze's Bayern career and the impact his decision to leave will have on the club.
"In the last few years he was bit unlucky with his injuries," the Austria international said.
"But I think every time he was on the pitch he always tried to give his best.
"His statistics show us that he was an important player for us."
