Dortmund duo out
Germany won’t have Reus and Goetze against Spain and Brazil
BErlIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew kept Marco Reus out of the national team squad for upcoming friendlies against Spain and Brazil, saying it was in the player’s own interest.
Both Reus and Borussia Dortmund teammate Mario Goetze failed to make the 26-player squad on Friday for the defending world champions’ games against Spain in Duesseldorf on March 23 and against Brazil in Berlin four days later.
Loew said that Reus, who only recently returned from a serious knee injury sustained in the German Cup final last May, needs to continue his recovery without extra pressure.
“It’s important for us that Marco is guided to the top level gently and without additional pressure and that he gets stability,” Loew said. “This means that he’s free of complaints, fit and playing over a longer period, that he trains, finds his rhythm and thus gains security and confidence.”
The 29-year-old Reus, who missed
Euro 2016 and the 2014 World Cup with injuries sustained shortly before both tournaments, has just 29 appearances for Germany. However, he has scored three goals in five Bundesliga appearances since his return last month.
Reus had to go off during Dortmund’s Europa League exit in Salzburg on Thursday with a groin problem.
Dortmund coach Peter Stoeger said on Friday that Reus might miss the side’s Bundesliga game against Hannover today, but he was not “definitely” ruled out.
Goetze, who scored Germany’s winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final, has not yet returned to his previous level after missing much of last season with a metabolic health issue.
Loew called up three forwards in Leipzig’s Timo Werner, Stuttgart’s Mario Gomez and Bayern Munich’s Sandro Wagner.
Jonas Hector and Leon Goretzka return after overcoming injuries, while Amin Younes of Ajax was not recalled.
Germany’s No. 1 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains injured.
“In some positions we have a great choice, but not in others,” Loew said. “So we also need players who are flexible and versatile. The door of the national team is not yet closed. There are still some players who remain under observation and who have a chance if they impress us in the next weeks.”
Germany begin their World Cup defence against Mexico in Moscow on June 17.