The German international has been ruled out of action until January after sustaining a thigh strain in the game against Kaiserslautern.
Gotze complaint of the injury after the game against the Red Devils on Sunday, December 11, with both teams ending up getting a point each.
Shinji Kagawa’s 27th minute strike for the hosts was cancelled out by a goal from Olcay Sahan in the second half. The Black Yellows now find themselves three points adrift of current leaders, Bayern Munich.
Dortmund manager, Jurgen Klopp, had raised doubts over Gotze’s fitness prior to Sunday’s game but still made him a part of the final squad. However, Klopp restricted Gotze to a bench role, giving Antonio da Silva a chance instead
to make a name for himself. The Brazilian failed to grab the opportunity and was eventually replaced by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ivan-c17215 Perisic in the 73rd minute.
With Dortmund sensing a frustrating draw in front of their home fans, the manager decided to risk the German teenager and introduced him at the expense of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jakub-Blaszczykowski-c17616 in the 66th minute.
The 19-year-old failed to answer his manager’s call and left the pitch with an aggravated groin strain. Later on, X-ray reports revealed that Gotze has an external injury and will have to stay away from action until January.
The reigning German champions will miss the influential midfielder for two games before they go into the traditional winter break. The injury to Gotze will be a huge blow for the Borussians' chances of defending their league crown.
"Playing against Kaiserslautern, BVB midfielder Mario Gotze incurred a torn muscle in his [front] thigh. Thus, the 19-year-old international player will be missing for the two remaining games this year [Freiburg in the Bundesliga,
Dusseldorf in the DFB Pokal]." The club’s press release added.
Gotze played a major role in Dortmund’s title triumph last season and has carried on the good work this season too. The attacker has scored five goals and has grabbed the same number of assists from 11 matches played thus.
The 19-year-old might return to action when Dortmund face Hamburg after the winter break.
Tags: