Sammer: Alaba is one of best left backs in the world

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has voiced his opinion that David Alaba is one of the best left backs in the world. The Austria international has put in a number of impressive displays throughout the 2012-13 campaign, most recently in the Champions League win over Juventus in which he scored a first-minute goal, and Sammer has hailed Alaba's importance to Bayern. "David is a very, very important player for the club,"Sammer told Bayern's official website. "Even at a very young age, he’s already one of the best left backs in the world." Bayern head coach Jupp Heynckes, meanwhile, agrees that Alaba has been in fine form, but believes the defender can still get better. "David's playing at a very high level at the moment, but he still has room to improve further," Heynckes said. Alaba has made 28 official appearances so far this term, netting five goals in the process. He'll look to help seal Bayern's place in the Champions League semifinals next Wednesday, when the Bundesliga runaway leader travels to Turin, Italy, carrying a 2-0 aggregate edge over Juventus.