Borussia Dortmund's Marc Bartra delighted to return after bomb attack
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Marc Bartra said returning to action after the bomb attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus represented one of his "best moments" as a player.
Bartra, 26, had to undergo surgery after being hit by shrapnel during the attack on April 11, but he made his return to first-team action for the season-concluding 4-3 win over Werder Bremen on Saturday, playing the full 90 minutes after being called into the starting XI as the result of captain Marcel Schmelzer's injury just before kickoff.
The Spain international was left in tears as fans chanted his name from the stands after the match and, while he showed his lack of match practice on his return to action, he was delighted to make it back onto the field.
"This was one of the best moments of my career," Bartra said on BVB's in-house TV channel. "I suffered a lot because of that negative experience."
Dortmund's victory ensured automatic qualification for the Champions League and also meant a second consecutive season without a home defeat in the Bundesliga.
Former Barcelona defender Bartra added: "It was not only about the three points today but also about playing football again. That's what I love the most and that's why it was so emotional."
The defender raised his right arm and pointed to his splint as he celebrated with the fans at the Westfalenstadion.
�� Trending: #immerwiederBVB pic.twitter.com/NSUCsBViYD
- Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) May 22, 2017
Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa, meanwhile, has admitted that he is "still scared" following the attack, which occurred before last month's Champions League quarterfinal loss at home to Monaco.
The Japan international has been in excellent form for Borussia during the run-in and played a crucial role in Dortmund's first two goals at the weekend. However, in a Japanese blog post published by the former Manchester United midfielder, Kagawa admitted that he has yet to get over the attack.
"I'm still scared to be honest. I'm scared to get on the bus, scared to go to games. I was scared on the bus from the hotel to the stadium in Monaco [the following week]," Kagawa wrote. "I heard the perpetrator was arrested, but Dortmund, other football teams, other sporting organisations, may still be targeted in the future."
Kagawa also voiced his delight that Bartra has returned to the team, adding: "It was so great to be able to play with Marc yesterday. I am overjoyed that he was able to make his return to the pitch."
German officials arrested a suspect in the bomb attack last month.
Stephan Uersfeld is the Germany correspondent for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @uersfeld.
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