Gomez delighted to net on return

Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez was thrilled to make a scoring return to the first team in a 5-0 rout of Hannover on Saturday.

Germany international Gomez had been sidelined for much of the early 2012/13 campaign following ankle surgery, losing his place to Croatian Mario Mandzukic in the process.

The former Stuttgart striker returned to action off the bench at the Allianz Arena, netting in the 67th minute.

“The most important thing is that I am healthy again,” Gomez said.

“For me personally, to come in and score immediately is just great. But just for me and not for the team, because it was already 4-0.

“But the coach has one option more now and that’s good for us and bad for our contenders.

“I am just happy now. I have to thank the medical team which has done a great job and who I annoyed for 14 weeks.

“And they were all there for me. Also thanks to the coach, for putting me in today. It’s just great.”

Gomez’s team-mate Toni Kroos said the dominant performance was a reflection of the positive mood in the Bayern camp.

“We have qualified in the Champions League, we are way ahead in the Bundesliga, so of course we are confident and we showed it today,” he said.

“Also the early goal helped us with that.”