Call for Reus to help save Germany from disaster
Four years after injury robbed him of a World Cup winner’s medal in Brazil, Germany are set to turn to Marco Reus to help rescue their Russia 2018 campaign.
The 29-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward was one of the few Germans to look dangerous in Sunday’s shock 1-0 defeat to Mexico after coming off the bench in the second half.
With Germany now facing an early flight home if they lose to Sweden in Sochi tomorrow, the German media are calling for Reus to replace either the under-fire Mesut Ozil or Julian Draxler in the starting lineup as both were poor against Mexico.
“It’s not in my hands, I’m putting in the effort in training and offering myself,” the softspoken Reus said.
“Of course, I hope that I get to play and help the team in such an important game.
“I do not really care about which position.”
With his speed and fresh ideas, Reus boosted Germany’s flagging attack when he replaced Sami Khedira at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Reus, who has a lethal right foot, could take Draxler’s left- wing berth place or replace Ozil, who has been heavily criticised, in the attacking midfield role.
As team director Oliver Bierhoff cryptically put it, “there will be new impulses” in the starting lineup against Sweden.
Reus is prone to injury and spells on the sidelines have restricted him to just 32 appearances and nine goals for Germany, but he is a popular figure within the national team.
Having missed the triumph at the Maracana, Reus was also ruled out of Euro 2016 by a persistent groin injury. –