Don't boo Gotze, urges Zorc

The midfielder could be in for a bad reception at Signal Iduna Park when he returns to the club for the first time since joining their arch-rivals

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has pleaded with supporters not to boo Mario Gotze when he lines up for Bayern Munich on Saturday.

The 21-year-old came through the ranks at Signal Iduna Park but stunned Dortmund by opting to join their arch-rivals after they activated a €37 million release clause in his contract back in April.

Zorc told Sport Bild: "I urge our fans to be fair and decent towards Mario. He showed strong performances in the BVB shirt for 12 years. Yet nobody is that blue-eyed to expect him to receive standing ovations."

Saturday's game will be the second time the two sides have met this season, with Dortmund beating Bayern 4-2 in the German Super Cup in July.

This time around Bayern go into the game with the upper hand as they sit four points clear of Jurgen Klopp's BVB at the top of the Bundesliga, and Zorc is anticipating another competitive affair.

"Of course there is a strong rivalry, because the two best German teams are meeting each other. Everything else does not belong on the pitch. The guys are smart enough to make sure not do do anything stupid."

An ankle injury sustained in the Uefa Super Cup win over Chelsea has so far restricted Gotze to just seven league apperances for his new club, but he is expected to be involved on Saturday having featured for Germany in their 1-0 win over England on Tuesday.