Bayern Munich players ´absolutely behind´ Alaba, says Boateng

Jerome Boateng insisted Bayern Munich’s players were behind David Alaba amid uncertainty over the defender’s future.

Alaba, 28, looks set to leave the European and Bundesliga champions after failing to agree to a new contract, with his current deal expiring at season’s end.

Still, the defender played 90 minutes as Bayern thrashed Salzburg 6-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Boateng said the players backed Alaba, who arrived at Bayern as a youth player in 2008.  

“Of course it’s an issue, but not as big as it is done. He focuses on the essentials,” he told Sky. 

“It’s not an easy situation for him, that is clear. But he played another great game today. 

“We as a team are absolutely behind him.”

W. We don’t stop. @FCBayern pic.twitter.com/xoGvuZUSVU

— David Alaba (@David_Alaba) November 3, 2020

Bayern initially came from behind against Salzburg and the Group A clash was level when Masaya Okugawa equalised for the Austrian giants in the 66th minute.

But Bayern scored four times in 13 minutes, beginning with Boateng in the 79th and completed by Lucas Hernandez in additional time.

The result extended Bayern’s unbeaten away run in the Champions League to 15 matches. Only Manchester United (16 between 2007 and 2010) have produced a longer run.

“It was the difficult game we expected,” Boateng said. “Salzburg played very well.

“In the end we showed that we really wanted to win. What sets us apart is that we never give up. We went a step further.

“Salzburg were a bit tired, we took advantage of that.”

Bayern improved to three wins from as many games in Group A, sitting five points clear of Atletico Madrid.