Boateng makes Salernitana debut in draw at Torino

German World Cup winner Jérôme Boateng made his debut for Serie A bottom club Salernitana in a 0-0 draw at Torino on Sunday, after not playing an official match in more than half a year.

Defender Boateng played for an hour as Salernitana ended a run of four straight defeats but are six points away from safety. The 35-year-old had signed for the club earlier in the week.

Boateng's contract at French side Olympique Lyon was not renewed in summer and he kept fit at the training ground of his former club Bayern Munich in autumn.

There was speculation on a return to Munich at the time due to injuries but that never materialised, and Boateng told Sunday paper Bild am Sonntag that "I would be wearing the Bayern shirt now" if coach Thomas Tuchel had decided on his own.

"He was the driving force behind my engagement in Munich and the opportunity to keep fit there. I can only thank him for that," Boateng said.

Boateng said he was eventually told there would be no return because Bayern's squad was good enough.

But there also had been criticism on a potential engagement because he faces a trial on suspicion of domestic violence, after an initial district court verdict and €1.2 million ($1.3 million) fine was nullified by a higher court and the case referred back to the district court.

Boateng complained of an unfair trial and prejudgement to Bild am Sonntag, insisting that "for me, the presumption of innocence applies completely."