Bayern Munich have dominated the German football scene for a number of years now, but they were made to play second fiddle by Borussia Dortmund at the start of the decade. Under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, BVB reigned supreme for two seasons, winning two Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 along with the DFB-Pokal, capped by a rampant 5-2 victory over Bayern in the final. They were no match for their Bavarian rivals in terms of resources, but Mario Gotze, pivotal to the club’s wildly successful spell under Klopp, believes Dortmund proved to be more than a match for them on the pitch. “I think at the time I was with Dortmund, which was also during Jurgen’s [Klopp] time there, we had a very good team and were definitely equals to Bayern Munich,” Gotze said. “We won the Bundesliga twice in those three years, we won the cup and played Bayern in the Champions League final. So, we certainly felt we were their equals and accepted the challenge that went with that, and we were equally hungry to win titles. “And that’s just what we did. It was such a very, very good time.”

Mario Gotze has expressed his admiration for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, while admitting that the pair did not enjoy a fluid relationship at Bayern Munich.  Guardiola swooped for the Dortmund star in 2013, to make Gotze one of his first signings at the Allianz Arena.  But despite winning three consecutive Bundesliga titles together, the forward struggled to replicate his best form while under Pep's wing.  Now he has revealed that despite his deep respect for Guardiola's track record, they did not click on a personal level.  "Pep Guardiola was technically one of the best coaches, a tremendous enrichment. But I had the feeling that he thinks only in the grid and leaves out the people and the outside," Gotze explained during the DAZN documentary ' Being Mario Gotze'.  "The empathy was not that big. It was not easy for me, just because I came from Kloppo, who was like a footballing father. "Pep was a complete difference. A world-class coach needs empathy, every athlete is also human and you should combine both. " Gotze, who is now back at Dortmund in his second spell with the club, nevertheless has no regrets over his decision to leave in 2013 or his time at Bayern. "I did not think so far, on what it meant and how people react on it. When I look back, it can be said that it was selfish, but in the end it is also a competitive sport," he added.  Bayern's Matthias Sammer believes that Gotze deserves more credit for his Bayern spell, while admitting that the club could have done more to make him feel at home as a young talent. "Mario has received too little love and recognition at Bayern. Young, sensitive people need rhythm in their lives," Sammer told DAZN. "That was taken from him. Mario and I had a close relationship, but I was not the coach. Mario with his deep way of thinking must feel love and trust, he must be untouchable. "At the same time Pep Guardiola: Full of ambition. That's why he sometimes had too little calmness and independence in his decisions. It was logical for me to comfort Mario. The club was not able to do that. You have to be able to read people and meet their characteristics and abilities. Unfortunately, not many people recognize that."

Bayern Munich should sell Robert Lewandowski and buy Inter star Mauro Icardi to replace him, according to former striker Luca Toni. Lewandowski's agent said last month that the Poland international "needs a change and a new challenge in his career", possibly paving the way for a move to Real Madrid. The European champions have been credited with an interest in the Bundesliga's runaway top scorer, though Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has denied claims the clubs have discussed him in recent meetings. The possibility of Lewandowski leaving the Bavarian outfit has raised some concerns over who should replace him, but the solution is a simple one for ex-Bayern and Italy forward Toni. The 41-year-old sees no reason for Bayern to hold Lewandowski back if he wants to go, telling Sport Bild: "If a player wants to go, you should let him go." And the former Juventus No.9 is confident that a suitable successor is already lying in wait, with Icardi being linked with a move away from Inter again after his 29-goal season in Serie A. "Mauro Icardi from Inter would be perfect for Bayern, he is very strong and younger," he said of the 25-year-old. Icardi himself has said his future depends on Inter's situation, stating he is willing to leave if it is in the best interests in the club. "If it's good for the team that I stay, then I'll stay, otherwise I will leave," he said. "I always do what is best for the club and the team. When the season ends, we'll talk to the club and see what is best for them." Icardi's agent and wife said last month that many clubs are willing to match the forward's release clause in the next transfer market, while coach Luciano Spalletti admitted his side may be unable to prevent him from leaving in the near future.

David Alaba says he has no desire to leave Bayern Munich amid reports that Real Madrid are interested in him. The 25-year-old Austria international has spent 10 years with the Bavarian side, ending 2017-18 with his seventh Bundesliga title since his debut in 2010. The left-back has been repeatedly linked to a move to Spain in recent months, however, as his father and agent left the door open to a summer move last month when he claimed Madrid's interest is "no secret". However, Alaba has dismissed talk of him heding for the Allianz Arena exit, as his future remains in Bavaria for the time being. "I'm staying at Bayern," he told Bild. "I have a contract until 2021. I'm feeling very well in Munich, there's nothing more to say about it." Bayern crashed out of the Champions League at the semi-finals after losing 4-3 to Madrid on aggregate, making it five years since they last sealed the European crown. But Alaba is sure his side can bounce back eventually and go all the way in Europe's most prestigious club competition. "With our squad we have absolutely the potential to continue to get very far in this competition," he added, insisting the issue is not down to the coaches the club have appointed. "Our bosses at Bayern have shown over the past few years how much experience they have in putting together big teams that have also been successful in the Champions League."

Besiktas' failure to prevent a cat from invading their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in March has resulted in a €34,000 fine from UEFA. The inquisitive feline briefly brought play to a halt at the Vodafone Arena during the second half of Bayern's 3-1 win, before comically going on to win a man of the match poll held by the Bundesliga giants. UEFA did not see the funny side, though, and Besiktas have been ordered to pay a hefty bill for what was deemed "insufficient organisation". The fine also relates to the throwing of objects and stairways being blocked. Bayern were also fined on Wednesday for a separate incident during their semi-final with Real Madrid – a human pitch invader and illicit banner leading to a €25,000 punishment. Meanwhile, time-wasting by ball boys during Roma's clash with Shakhtar Donetsk earned the Serie A club a warning from UEFA, with the setting off and throwing of fireworks incurring a €7,000 fine.