Champions League: Dortmund will miss Mario Gotze, says Ballack

Mario Gotze will be "a big loss" for Borussia Dortmund but they can still win the Champions League, predicts former Germany captain Michael Ballack.

Playmaker Gotze, 20, has been ruled out of Saturday's final at Wembley against Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich because of a hamstring injury.

He will join Bayern in the summer for £31.5m after agreeing a deal in April.

Ballack told the BBC World Service: "It's not just about Gotze. Dortmund are dangerous for Bayern Munich."

Gotze will become the most expensive German player of all time when his transfer goes through on 1 July.

Ballack, who played for the Bavarian side between 2002 and 2006, believes he is the best young player in the Bundesliga.

"The fact that Bayern signed him for so much money shows that he is maybe the greatest talent we have at the moment," he said.

"He is a big loss for Dortmund. Also, for the guy to reach his first final against his new club and then miss out, it's a shame."

Ballack said it would be a mistake for Bayern to write off Dortmund, who beat his former side 5-2 in the German Cup final last season without Gotze.

"Dortmund had a few fantastic games without him against Bayern in the last few years.

"They play as a team and will be strong."

BBC World Service has all the build up and full match commentary of the Champions League Final from 1500 BST on Saturday,