Marco Reus and Borussia Dortmund have endured difficult months in the recent past. Agonizingly for the attacking midfielder, he was often forced into the spectator role as his club struggled in the Bundesliga. Reus sustained three serious injuries: The first, sidelining him from the World Cup and thus excluding him from Germany’s triumph in Rio. The second and third injuries meant that he only made eleven appearances out of a possible 26 games during the first half of the season.
Reus and BVB begin the second half of the 2014/15 Bundesliga campaign this evening against third placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen (18:30 CET), looking to make amends and to improve their position in the table after finishing in 17th place after the opening 17 games.
Focused, relaxed and most importantly healthy
Dortmund’s fans have a strong longing to see Reus back in regular action and also hope that he will stay with them over the summer. His contract is set to expire in the summer of 2017, but it includes an exit-clause. Others might crumble under the pressure – but Marco Reus is looking to make a move. He appears focused, yet still relaxed and most importantly healthy.
Borussia’s No.11 only had two full days off during his New Year’s holiday in Miami/Florida. Apart from that, he completed a full training routine, always accompanied by physiotherapist Thomas Zetzmann, who joined Reus and Ilkay Gündogan on their trip to the United States. Back in Europe, Reus returned to action on the pitch in Dortmund’s winter training camp in La Manga/Spain. His only media appearance from the “Principe Felipe” Hotel was a five-minute segment for German TV show ARD-Sportschau. However, no questions concerning his recent experiences or his aims for the future were asked. But the wait is over and all will have to be revealed tonight in Leverkusen.
“Marco has a very positive attitude about him, it’s his character. He tends to look ahead, rather than into the past,” explains BVB sporting director Michael Zorc. Statistics show how important a healthy Marco Reus is for Dortmund.
“A key figure for success”
Since his return in the summer of 2012, he bagged 33 goals and supplied 25 assists in 69 Bundesliga games. On average, BVB secure more points with Reus on board than without him, especially in football’s elite competition – the Champions League. The Germany international provides his side with pace and inspiration, a clinical touch and a touch of genius. He lifts his team mates to a new level – like during his outstanding performance against Real Madrid in spring 2014. “He’s a key figure in order for us to reach our goal of getting out of the relegation zone as quickly as possible,” said Zorc.
Reus is set to feature in Dortmund’s attacking midfield in their Bundesliga return in Leverkusen. The same applies to new signing Kevin Krampl but it’s unclear which other player will start in attack in BVB’s starting XI. Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan would be a wonderful solution – but he has only just returned to team training. Jakub Blaszczykowski also fits the bill perfectly – but has been sidelined for a lengthy time due to injury. Shinji Kagawa is another solid option – but he just suffered an unexpected early exit from the Asia Cup with Japan. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang suffered the same fate with Gabon in the Africa Cup. Both players essentially missed Dortmund’s entire winter preparation.
This makes it even more important that Marco Reus is fit. A lot of Dortmund’s hope rest on his shoulders, as both parties are looking for a fresh start in 2015.
