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Götze Arrives to Bayern
The €37 million man is in Bavaria! After FC Bayern activated his buyout clause, the 21-year-old German prodigy was not allowed to join the team...until today.
He has landed, and has revealed what could be his first public comments on what it was like leaving the club that brought him into football.
"It's where I grew up, and I spent almost my entire youth career with BVB. I've had to leave behind many friends and my family. But I'm really looking forward to the new challenge now. It's what I wanted - out of conviction. I aim to take the next step in my career with FC Bayern. That's why I'm here, and I'm really looking forward to it."
Mario Götze via Nikolai Kube, FC Bayern's Official Website
Pep Guardiola, as he has done with many of the players in his first week, left a good impression on Götze the first time the two have met.
"He's brought a lot of momentum, and he preaches a philosophy I can really get along with. He comes across as very relaxed and he’s friendly towards the players. He’ll take us a long way, and every one of us will benefit."
Mario Götze via Nickolai Kube, FC Bayern's Official Website
Götze also mentioned that the "false nine" roll could suit him, considering he's played that position before in his youth, as well as for the German National team. Right now though, he's focused on getting fit.
What do you think Götze's position should be in the Starting XI? Tell us what you think in the poll and comments below.
Gómez to Fiorentina Rumors Persist
Mario Gómez rumors just don't seem to go away, like a pack of mosquitoes on a humid summer day. But now, there are a few more indicators that he might be on his way out.
One big one is that he did not play in either friendly over the weekend, with Pep experimenting with different players atop the 4-2-3-1 formation. That got Sport Bild, who is more thirsty for gossip than a middle school, asking Sport Director Matthias Sammer for some answers.
"Mario conducted a talk with Pep Guardiola and Pep decided that Mario would not be available for the games. There is nothing more to say, and there are no decisions for all other matters."
Matthias Sammer via Sport Bild
Now the writers at Sport Bild are insinuating that Gómez, who was fit, was held out so that he could stay healthy in case the right offer did come along. That may be true, but he was not the only one held out of the side in one of or both games.
The latest rumor is that Fiorentina is offering €15 million to sign Gómez, according to ESPN FC's Jens Weber. Atletico Madrid and Napoli may still have some interest, but previous Juventus rumors have been snuffed out with their signing of Carlos Tévez.
Fiorentina General manager came out publicly, oozing with confidence that the German International will move to Italy, according to Yahoo! Eurosport UK.
"It is beyond doubt that Gomez is one of the players who interests us," Mencucci told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I can also tell you that Fiorentina are one of the teams he is keeping in mind should be change jersey this summer."
Gómez is refusing to open his mouth as well. In my own opinion, this will play out until the end of training camp, which means we'll hear these links for another month.
In Case You Missed It...
As mentioned previously, die Roten played two friendlies over the weekend, one against Wildenau Weiden Fans' XI and one TSV Regen over the weekend. FC Bayern combined for 24 goals in both games, with Patrick Weihrauch scoring a quarter of them from an attacking midfield position. Pep played mostly in a 4-2-3-1, but did experiment with a 3-4-3 as well. The next match for them will be another "traumspiel" against the Paulauner Traumelf in Trentino on Friday...
Luiz Gustavo and Dante were able to complete the Quadruple! The two Brazilians were along for the ride when the Seleção beat Javier Martínez's La Roja in the Confederations Cup final. Luiz Gustavo started every game in the tournament, playing the holding central midfielder in Felipe Scolari's 4-3-3. Dante and Martinez sat on the bench for most of the tournament, making a few substitutions for their respective sides sporadically. With Spain and Brazil done until August, look for the three to report to camp within the next week or so...
Not necessarily related to FC Bayern directly, but Allianz Arena lit up in white and red. Not for Munich's prized soccer team, but for Croatia, and their initiation into the European Union. It may have been a small detail, but it was a gesture that Mario Mandžukić took to heart...
"I am very happy about that, that Croatia will belong to the EU. Thank this formidable illumination that my home stadium, Allianz Arena, was for one our also Croatian."
Mario Mandzukic via TZ Online
I strongly encourage you posting anything you see, whether its rumors, fun stories, or if you just want to rant (I love ranting).
Enjoy your week! And thanks for reading!