Thursday 17 September 2015 10:50, UK
Mario Gotze was feeling the love from boss Pep Guardiola after scoring in Bayern Munich's 3-0 Champions League win over Olympiakos.
There was speculation that Germany's World Cup winner could leave in the summer after venting his frustration over his supporting role at the club.
However, the 23-year-old was urged by Bayern bosses to stay on and Guardiola paid tribute to him after he netted in Greece on Wednesday.
"I love Mario Gotze," said Guardiola. "I have said it a million times and I will say it a million times. He is a super guy and a super character with a great attitude. Everything was easier after Mario's goal. He is a top player and has enormous quality."
Guardiola had again left Gotze on the bench for the Champions League opener, sending him on in the 79th minute and then watching as he scored Bayern's second goal a minute from the end.
"I feel for him, but if I started with Gotze you would then ask my why I don't play Thomas Muller or why I don't play Robert Lewandowski," said Guardiola.
"There is a lot of quality so I can understand why he may be disappointed but I want the very best for Mario and am here to help him."
Things could become even more difficult for Gotze when Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery return from injury, further limiting the options of the attacking midfielder who can also operate as a striker.
Bayern next host Dinamo Zagreb, who beat Arsenal 2-1 in the other Group F match, on September 29.
