LOTHAR MATTHAUS HAS hailed Mario Gotze’s decision to fight for his chance at Bayern Munich rather than request a transfer.
Gotze has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, who are coached by his former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp.
But the Germany international claimed earlier this week he has no intention of leaving Bayern and is ready to impress new head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Matthaus believes the 23-year-old’s comments are proof he is maturing and does not want to take the easy way out after a number of difficult years at Allianz Arena.
“I don’t know whether there was indeed an offer from Liverpool,” Matthaus told TZ.
“But why would he join a club that do not even play in the Champions League?
He would have taken the easy solution with a move to Liverpool. But the easy solution is not always the right solution.
“Mario has shown with his latest comments that he is ready to fight for his place. This whole situation will only make him stronger. I applaud his decision to stay put. He is finally standing up for himself. He is taking his career in his own hands at last.
He is not taking the easy way out, but is taking on the challenge. He wants to show Bayern what he can do. I have waited for this for quite some time. This is a sign that he is getting mature.
“I don’t think he is looking to leave on a free transfer in 2017 and earn a big signing fee. He has already made enough money. He did this because he wants to show Bayern he is a player of the highest level.”
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Joubert was nothing short of a disgrace in the final .
Joubert was nothing short of a disgrace in every match he’s ever reffed.
Can you imagine if France won though? That would just be bad for rugby in general, and Lievremont might have kept his job longer!
I would more say that he bottled it rather than set out to ensure a home win. Having said that he was chosen to ref the final on the basis that he would bottle it.
They’ll need an even bigger performance from Andre Joubert if they’re to win it again.
*Craig Joubert
They’re clearly the best team on paper so it all just depends on whether they show up. I’ll be putting a sizeable bet on a Southern Hemisphere winner at 7/11. Bet of the century as far as I’m concerned.
Carter will be lucky to get his place in the team these days. Barrett and Slade will gunning for a starting berth. Their strength in depth is remarkable. They could their top 5 or 6 players and still win it.
*could lose their top 5 or 6 players
No Slade would never be starting unless an emergency situation a la 2011 were to happen again. He’s good but nothing more than a bench player. I’d have Cruden as the starting 10 if he wasn’t injured, however I’m confident DC will deliver as long as he doesn’t get injured. TBH the only headache and legitimate question from the above is who our starting right winger is. If you were to go by form you’d be urged to drop Savea for Naholo and have Skudder on the right, but that won’t happen.
Watched the documentary on the NZ triumph in 2011 on a plane a few years ago. Conrad Smith trying to choke back laughter when commenting on how Ireland beat Australia stuck with me. His take was; “you know, scoff scoff, one of these smaller northern sides, might, *tries to hold back laughter, in their day and that, scoff scoff, even, scoff, beat you!”