Fit-again Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara was delighted to put a "difficult year" behind him after returning from long-term injury in Saturday's 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund.

The Spaniard made a 20-minute cameo at Signal Iduna Park for what was his first appearance since March 29 of last year following recurring knee ligament injuries.

The 23-year-old missed 53 Bayern games in total, along with Spain's World Cup campaign last summer, but the former Barcelona youth is determined to enjoy his clean bill of health.

"It was difficult because I couldn't count the days - I was counting months," he told the Bundesliga website. So it was tough. Every day was like the next final. I fought my way there and now I've got to enjoy it.

"I don't have to fight anymore, I just have to enjoy it. As a footballer, we live for this. It's been a long and difficult year, but now I'm back. I don't have the words to describe it.

"Football for people is just a game, but you can see from the crowd how emotional they are, so it's more than that - it's not about a game, it's life."

Robert Lewandowski scored the only goal of the game as Bayern edged out Dortmund to restore their 10-point lead at the summit of the Bundesliga.