By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The future of Mario Goetze at Borussia Dortmund seems unsure as the 26-year-old appears to have hit rock bottom. Only one solution seems to remain after his unsuccessful attempt to assert himself at Bayern Munich and his so far disappointing return to the Black and Yellows.
Pundits such as the former German international Lothar Matthaeus, Dietmar Hamann and Steffen Freund are convinced the 2014 World Cup winner would be well advised to leave and join a club abroad. Having played for Germany's best clubs, a move to a third one seems out of the question. Goetze's story contains a fair amount of tragedy.
After scoring the winning goal in the World Cup final in Brazil against Argentina (1-0), the Bavarian-born forward seemed destined to become one of football's greats. But the wunderkind had trouble meeting expectations and dealing with his new status.
He was only 22 years old. Goetze had to go through a dark time after he joined Bayern as many Dortmund fans felt betrayed by their former hero. In Munich, Goetze added another unhappy chapter to his career in trying to find his way and after three years he finally returned to Dortmund, the club that turned him into a star. Capped 63 times, the youngster's journey continued.
After Swiss coach Lucien Favre joined the side this summer, Goetze's situation worsened. He seems to play no role in Borussia's new tactical system. The center forward and winger positions are occupied. Matthaeus accused Goetze of lacking quality, speed and dribbling skills.
For the 2018 World Cup, he wasn't even picked. Being selected for Dortmund's first eleven in their Champions League curtain raiser against Club Brugge was said to be his big chance to prove himself as regulars Thomas Delaney and Paco Alcacer were injured. He failed.
Goetze couldn't hide his disappointment when walking off the pitch in the 62nd minute in Bruges. While the Black and Yellows came away with a lucky 1-0 victory after Cristian Pulisic scored the winning goal, the offensive midfielder was far from happy. "I didn't play my best game, but many of us didn't," Goetze commented.
"It is my aim to play over 90 minutes. I experienced too much to change my attitude and expectations," he said. He went on to say that he wouldn't lose the trust in his abilities.
Dortmund officials and teammates are currently trying to back Goetze by asking the public and experts to stop commenting on Goetze and allow him to find his way back in peace. "Stop trampling on him," urged Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
It is up to Goetze to back up the words but things do not seem rosy at the moment. It seems like the challenge of a lifetime for Goetze to prove he can be more than a one-hit-wonder.
