Dortmund boss has sympathy for Bayern's Gotze

Berlin - Ahead of Germany's top-of-the-table clash on Saturday, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke admits he has sympathy for former star Mario Gotze, who's spending plenty of time on Bayern Munich's bench.

Bundesliga leaders Bayern, who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Mainz on Wednesday, is five points ahead of second-placed Dortmund ahead of kick-off at Borussia's Signal Park Arena.

Gotze actioned a €37 million release clause in his Borussia contract in 2013 to join Bayern, but the attacking midfielder has struggled in Munich.

It was Gotze's extra-time goal which saw Germany win the 2014 World Cup final, but he is not a regular in Bayern's first team.

Injury has restricted him to just eight appearances this season and Bayern coach Pep Guardiola has yet to give him a game since recovering from a hamstring problem.

Just 25 of Gotze's 66 league appearances in three seasons at Bayern have been over the 90 minutes.

The 23-year-old is not expected to start in Dortmund and will likely receive a hostile reception from the home fans, but Borussia's boss Watzke says it hurts to see Gotze on the bench.

"I've know him for 11 years, since he was in small trousers," Watzke told German daily Bild.

"I saw him playing for the (Dortmund's) Under-15s.

"I saw him go through our entire youth section and he is a really nice guy.

"I simply like him and that's why I am a bit sorry (to see him on the bench)."

Like Gotze, Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski will be back at Dortmund having left Borussia for Munich in 2014.

However, his move has proved more successful and he is the league's top scorer this season with 23 goals.