Doubts over Kagawa, Götze in squad

"He rolled his ankle and has sprained it", said manager Thomas Tuchel of the Japanese. He was unable to say with certainty what Kagawa's chances of playing were: "Wait a while. We haven't made the final decision yet."

Sven Bender continues to suffer with the ankle injury sustained in the semi-final of the Olympic games. "It's causing him enough pain to preclude him from taking part in training", reported Tuchel. Mikel Merino will also be absent from proceedings in Leipzig: "He played a great game for the Spain U21s in Sweden, and we were really pleased about that. Unfortunately, he now has to contend with an inflammation of the knee."

Marco Reus is still working his way through a rehabilitation programme. Tuchel was able to give more information about his star offensive player: Reus is now permitted not only to move linearly, but may also change direction, and working with the ball, though it remains "a very restricted training". 

"The criticism went too far!"

Mario Götze has been at the forefront of the media's attention during the last few days. "We have noticed how much Mario is being talked about", said Tuchel, who noted: "The criticism went too far!" It may well have escaped everyone's attention that Götze was not a part of the squad for the league match against Mainz nor for the cup game in Trier due to muscle stiffness in his thigh and the adductor region. He had injured himself one day prior to the game in Trier and returned to training only the day before the match against Mainz.

In Leipzig, though, Götze is certainly included in the match day squad. "Mario will definitely be there, and is an option for the starting eleven", announced his manager. (br)