Mario Götze was no longer in the Eintracht starting eleven for almost six months. The offensive all-rounder has only played 77 minutes this season. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old currently seems completely relaxed – even when it comes to contract extension.
When Mario Götze said himself almost six months ago, in April in the Europa League quarter-final against Tottenham, grabbed his thigh in painit was not foreseeable that he would be missing from Eintracht as a regular for so long. Even in mid-October it is not clear when the offensive all-rounder will be back in the starting line-up. The 33-year-old repeatedly had to struggle with problems in his leg muscles.
Götze has played just 61 minutes in the Bundesliga and 16 minutes in the Champions League so far this season, after being Eintracht’s top performer and pacesetter in the last second half of the season. The 2014 world champion himself is not putting himself under pressure and, as he said in a club interview, wants to focus on “small steps”.
“Be healthy, train and then if you can still be halfway successful, like in the last three years here in Frankfurt, then I’m super happy,” said Götze. The midfielder is relaxed and relaxed despite the few minutes of play. The times in his life when he put too much pressure on himself didn’t do him any good. Götze never wants anything like that again.
Götze: “Current season is a big one Challenge”
From this experience he also knows what pressure can do to a team. How difficult it is to repeat success. “That’s the big challenge, especially for the Champions League teams: to achieve consistency.” A consistency that the very young Eintracht team is currently lacking. A Götze in top form, like in the second half of last season, would of course help. Someone who keeps an overview when the opponent’s pressure becomes too great.
But Götze cannot (yet) do that again. So far the season hasn’t really been subject to entertainment tax for him. He actually always came when Eintracht was going south. At the away game in Gladbach, when Eintracht conceded four more goals in the second halfwith the score at 0:2 against completely dominant Bavaria and also in the Champions League in Madrid at 1:4. Rather thankless missions. The question remains: what’s next for him?
The consequences of the injury: Götze has often sat on the bench
Götze’s contract only runs until the end of the season
His current contract runs until the end of the season. Sports director Markus Krösche recently praised Götze highlyCoach Dino Toppmöller openly spoke out in favor of a contract extension – but neither Götze nor Eintracht are currently feeling any pressure to finalize. It is likely that the 33-year-old will stay in Frankfurt for another year with a lower salary because Götze feels right at home with his family in the Main metropolis. However, that is not certain.
Both sides want to tackle the matter in winter at the earliest, perhaps even in spring. “We will sit down together in peace and quiet in the second half of the season,” said sports director Timmo Hardung in a press conference these days. One thing is clear: Götze’s calmness and experience are important for the Eintracht dressing room, especially for the younger players.
Götze on the way to more playing minutes
Götze is working on ensuring that his skills can soon be seen on the pitch again. The 33-year-old has taken part in practically every training session in the past few weeks and has also gone to the weight room when the team has had a day off. “He’s back in full training,” confirmed Hardung. Like all non-national players, Götze is currently free.
Eintracht will start team training again on Wednesday; many national players are not expected back from their trips until Thursday or Friday. Eintracht only plays at SC Freiburg on Sunday (3:30 p.m.). Then maybe with a few more minutes for Mario Götze.
