Gomez: I would have played Bayren

The Germany international insists that he was not in the least bit frightened by the competition for places at the Allianz Arena

Mario Gomez is in no doubt that he would have reclaimed his starting berth at Bayern Munich had he stayed with the treble winners.

The Germany international lost his place in the Roten line-up to Mario Mandzukic last season and last week sealed a move to Fiorentina.

However, Gomez insists that his decision to leave the Allianz Arena was not motivated by a fear of being unable to force his way back into the Bayern first team.

"Three years ago I was Lous van Gaal's fourth-choice striker but I ended up as top scorer," the 28-year-old told Kicker.

"This season I would probably have been second-choice but I am convinced that I would have got my place back."

However, Gomez explained that he came to accept that his particular skill-set would not be ideally suited to the type of football Bayern are likely to play under new boss Pep Guardiola.

"The club has a different philosophy now, a new coach, who puts a lot of emphasis on small, agile players.

"So, sure, it's not easy to leave the best team in the world. But I was overwhelmed by the reception I received [at his unveiling at the Artemio Franchi].

"I came up the stairs to the field and then there was this purple wall. It was amazing. I had goosebumps. This is what every player wants.

"Many have said "you cannot go to Italy at the moment" but football gives us the opportunity to experience other cultures and like Italy as a country; the language is for me the best ever."

Gomez, who joined Bayern from Stuttgart in 2009, scored 75 times in 115 Bundesliga appearances for the Bavarians.