Germany’s 2014 World Cup hero celebrated his return to action after 167 days on the sidelines with a metabolic disorder. Emre Mor’s brace opened Borussia Dortmund’s Far East tour with a win.Mario Götze took a massive step forward in his road to recovery as he returned to action for Borussia Dortmund in a 3-2 win over Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan.
The 25-year-old was introduced from the substitute’s bench after 62 minutes, his first appearance since Dortmund’s 1-1 draw at Mainz in January this year.
Götze pulled out of training in February after metabolic disturbances were diagnosed and he underwent rehabilitation with an individualized program, the club confirmed then.
Read more: The trials and tribulations of Mario Götze
“It’s a great feeling to be playing again, that’s the most important thing for me” said Götze in an interview with Dortmund’s official website.
His Borussia Dortmund and Germany teammate Andre Schürrle told Germany’s Sky Sports that Götze “is training in a very high level already, he’ll get the time he needs.”
“We must be careful with Mario,” said newly-appointed Peter Bosz at the post-match press conference. “We must check his progress every day to a point that he’ll be able to complete full 90 minutes.”
First win for new coach Bosz
The midfielder made his comeback as a second half substitute at Dortmund’s friendly against Japanese team Urawa Red Diamonds, a game in which Dortmund found themselves initially trailing 1-0, until an Emre Mor three-minute double and another Andre Schürrle goal two minutes from the final whistle earned Dortmund the win.
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This was Peter Bosz’s first win after last week’s defeat to fourth-division side Rot-Weiss Essen. Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who took part in both matches, was full of praise of Bosz’s playing philosophy after the match. “I feel very good, (Bosz’s) philosophy to play is very good,” said the striker, who has reportedly been the subject of an 80 million euros bid from a Chinese club.
Speaking after the match, Bosz acknowledged his own team’s defensive problems. “I’m not happy with the fact we’ve conceded two goals from corners. We must improve it,” said the Dutchman. Dortmund also conceded a goal as a result of a corner against Essen in midweek.
Borussia Dortmund are currently on tour in the Far East, and will play AC Milan in Guangzhou on July 18.
