Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 10y

Lewandowski relishing Gotze reunion

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has spoken of his eagerness to play alongside former Borussia Dortmund teammate Mario Gotze, Germany's World Cup final match-winner, once again.

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Lewandowski, 25, will be reunited with Gotze, 22, this season following the Poland international striker's summer move to the Allianz Arena.

The pair won back-to-back Bundesliga titles during their time together with the Schwarzgelb. Gotze has since picked up a further championship for coach Pep Guardiola's side as well as playing a starring role in his nation's fourth global triumph.

However, Lewandowski told reporters -- in a mid-air news conference given while flying between New York and Portland on Bayern's preseason tour of the USA -- the pair must continue to improve, despite their already impressive collection of medals.

"I played with Mario already in Dortmund, and we understand each other very well," he said. "It's a lot, lot better for me and for Mario that we can play together again. His goal in the World Cup final was the best thing that could happen to him.

"But it doesn't matter where you are, or what you have won, you have to kick on. I speak with Pep, talk about things I need to do a little differently. I want to work. I hope to learn something every day in order to become even better than before."

When Gotze joined Bayern a year ago, he initially struggled to settle and though he contributed 10 goals and eight assists in 27 Bundesliga outings, he did not produce the kind of performances that made him one of world football's most sought-after talents while with Dortmund.

By contrast, Lewandowski has made a flying start to life with the German champions, recently scoring three times in two games to help Bayern win the Telekom Cup, a preseason tournament.

"It's a different situation to my first two or three months in Dortmund. Bayern is my new team, but I know them very well because we have played against each other so many times," said last season's Bundesliga top scorer, who will face his former teammates in Dortmund in the Super Cup on Aug. 13.

"We want to win, but I also know Dortmund are very dangerous. They're still a very good team, regardless of who has left. For me, it will be a special game, because I had four great years there and now I'll be going there as a visitor.

"But I wanted to take the next step in my career."

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