By John Bagratuni, dpa
Mario Goetze has rarely played for Bayern Munich since his return
from a long injury lay-off last month. But the 2014 World Cup hero
could get a much needed boost in friendlies against England and Italy
as coach Joachim Loew has remained loyal to him and all but
guaranteed him a place at Euro 2016.
Berlin (dpa) – Training and playing with the German national team
must feel like a big relief for World Cup hero Mario Goetze, just
like being all but guaranteed a place at Euro 2016 by coach Joachim
Loew.
Goetze can raise his number of caps to 50 since a 2010 debut if he is
fielded in tune-up games Saturday against England and Tuesday against
Italy.
But as important will be the feel-good factor at the Germany camp,
compared to his situation at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich where
he has spent a lot of time since a 2013 move from Borussia Dortmund
on the injury list or subs’ bench.
Gotze has seen only 27 full Bundesliga matches from the 69 he has
been on the pitch for Bayern, never really fully fulfilling the
expectations coupled with the price tag of 37 million euros (41.5
million dollars).
In the current campaign he has played four of his eight games over 90
minutes and apart from 54 minutes earlier in the month against Werder
Bremen has been overlooked by coach Pep Guardiola since his February
comeback from four months on the sidelines with a groin injury.
The attacking midfielder Goetze has a contract in Munich until 2017
but speculation is growing that he could be leaving in summer –
including a possible return to Dortmund. He has been subject of
transfer rumours before but has remained at Bayern.
Germany coach Joachim Loew said Wednesday «I will speak with him
about his situation» but «at the moment won’t advise him» although a
solution has to be found.
Goetze is the only big-name Munich player without a contract renewal,
which appears to indicate that new coach Carlo Ancelotti sees no role
for him either in a star-studded midfield and attacking line-up.
Bayern sports director Matthias Sammer said 10 days ago that «we will
analyse the situation in summer» and added «we must also see what the
player wants.»
The Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) said on the weekend that Goetze «is in
his third season at Bayern, or better spending it there.»
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) added Monday: «Rumour has it
that Guardiola never wanted him, but rather Neymar, and rumour also
has it that Guardiola never knew what to do with this Goetze.»
The FAZ said he was no real leader in Dortmund either but fitted into
their system which won them the Bundesliga in 2011 and German league
and cup double in 2012.
Guardiola named Goetze «a special player because makes his colleagues
look better» after his brief appearance against lowly Bremen, but it
has been mainly the colleagues who have been playing for Munich, even
in games in which Guardiola heavily rotated his team.
«I’m glad I’m back and that I can play without pain. I have to be
patient first and recover my rhythm,» Goetze said.
The Germany games could help his cause in this respect as Loew has
been very loyal to him even in difficult times and says Goetze has
«enough time» to get into top shape for the June 10-July 10 Euro
tournament in France where he will be part of the squad – barring
injury.
«Mario has been an integral part (of the team) for several years. He
has given us a lot of joy,» the coach told dpa.
«I always count on Mario because he is an unpredictable and skilled
player who fits our philosophy. He needs a few games and training
units. For the Euros I am certainly planning with Mario Goetze.»
