In almost every league there’s one club that’s above the rest in terms of prestige, not to mention their financial abilities. Real Madrid are that kind of beacon for Latin players across Europe and on a smaller scale, Bayern Munich have been that kind of team in the Bundesliga. Which makes it a little bit easier to understand why Mario Gotze decided to sign with them, leaving a stunned Borussia Dortmund behind.

Because when Dortmund wanted Marco Reus last season, they simply beat Bayern Munich to the finish line, activating the release clause before the season was over, and there was nothing Borussia Monchengladbach could do about it. Jurgen Klopp admitted to this, but the reason for aggravation isn’t about Gotze leaving, as frustrating as it is. The €37 million transfer fee isn’t something to be neglected, even if finding someone of Gotze’s quality isn’t something you just happen to stumble upon. The timing of it all is what truly offset Klopp and Dortmund.

Speaking to the press, Klopp admitted to defeat. There was nothing he or the club could do. Pep Guardiola put Gotze as his number one target, and triggering the release clause made Dortmund useless in the process of purchasing him. He got a 40% increase in his salary despite being signed till 2016 with the exiting German champions, and even if he’s a home grown player, he was born in Bavaria, which makes the appeal of Bayern even greater.

Guardiola’s football and philosophy appeals to Gotze. Klopp said that he can’t change the way the team plays because Gotze prefers a different style. He can’t preach quick transitions while deploying the tiki-taka. It was a lost fight to begin with once Bayern decided they have the funds to get hold of the best German prospect of the past two years, even if they don’t really have a place for him in the lineup.