Matthäus considers the Sabitzer change to be a “sensible solution”

Soccer record player Lothar Matthäus has shown understanding for Marcel Sabitzer’s move from Bayern Munich to Borussia Dortmund. The transfer is “a sensible solution for the player, FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund,” wrote the 1990 world champion in his Sky column a few hours before the announcement: “Sabitzer is the one-to-one replacement for Jude Bellingham.”

Despite a contract until 2025, the Austrian was sidelined with Bayern. In the second half of the season, Sabitzer had already been loaned out to Manchester United by Bayern, and there had recently been speculation about another move to the island. On Monday, the 29-year-old was then spotted at the airport in Dortmund, and in the evening it was finally reported. Various media named almost 20 million euros plus bonuses as a fee.

After the departures of Jude Bellingham, Raphael Guerreiro and Mo Dahoud, BVB had to step up, Matthäus emphasized. With Sabitzer, Dortmund are getting “a player who would have had more playing time in Munich if there was less competition. He was a leader in Leipzig and in Austria’s national team, he recently showed in Manchester that he can play at a high level and regained his self-confidence,” said the 62-year-old.