Dante ready to fight for spot

Bayern Munich defender Dante has vowed to work hard to keep his place in the side, despite the impending return of left-back David Alaba.

The Austrian sustained a pre-season foot injury, forcing Holger Badstuber to slot in as a make-shift full-back, with the Brazilian in the heart of defence.

However, the youngster is nearing a comeback and the former Borussia Moenchengladbach man has accepted that he may find game time harder to come across.

“(Alaba) is a great player,” Dante told TZ. “It’s amazing how far he has come for his age, and he will help the team a lot.

“I’m sure that the coach will also rotate the defence. Who plays is the decision of the coach. Whatever happens, I will continue to work hard.”

Dante praised Bayern duo Franck Ribery and Javi Martinez and revealed he has a great rapport with the 40 million-euro Spaniard.

“(Ribery) has incredible skills, is quick, nimble and agile. What impresses me even more about him is how hard he works on himself,” he said.

“For every game he is fully concentrated, and he wants only thing – win, win, and win. Franck is an unbelievable character.

“(Martinez) is a great guy and a great player. We understand each other well, and talk and especially laugh a lot.”

Bayern will look to maintain their perfect Bundesliga record this season when they travel to Fortuna Duesseldorf on Saturday.