Gomez determined to succeed

Bayern striker out to prove doubters wrong and regain starting berth

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 2nd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gomez determined to succeed

Gomez: Benched

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Mario Gomez is determined to win back his place in the Bayern Munich starting XI after a prolonged period on the bench.

The 24-year-old, a £25million arrival from Stuttgart in the summer, has struggled to adapt to his new surroundings with only three goals so far this season.

However, the German international has found himself on the bench for seven out of Bayern's last eight games with his only start coming in the 0-0 draw at his former club at the weekend.

Gomez has voiced his frustration at the situation but insists the only way to turn around his fortunes is to knuckle down in training.

"I will do my best and continue to give it all I have got in training and convince the coach that way," he said.

"I am a striker who is synonymous with scoring goals, and that will also be the case in the future."

When asked if he had fallen out with manager Louis van Gaal, Gomez surprisingly stated: "He has explained to me that the positions I run into are not right.

"I have certainly understood him very well. I don't need any sympathy, no 100,000 pats on the back to say that I am a great striker.

Feel wanted

"To score goals, you need to feel wanted and I have now got to try and win that back. I don't have a guaranteed starting berth just because I cost so much money - that's ridiculous.

"I am responsible for what happens to me, nobody else. Of course I am not happy at the moment and people are certainly not enjoying Gomez very much, but I have got to win back their faith."

Having scored 63 goals in the past two seasons in all competitions for Stuttgart many have been surprised with how long the striker has taken to settle at the Allianz Arena, including the man himself.

"Our opponents play against us in a different manner," he explained.

"Against Bayern, they all play so defensive, like I remember earlier only from cup games against smaller opponents who would stick every man behind the ball.

"Of course I have got to adapt my game, but I won't become a completely different type of player."