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Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has been working his way back from a muscle tear and is closing in on a return to Die Mannschaft.
According to Sport1 journalist Florian Plettenberg, however, Joachim Löw’s plan for how Goretzka will be integrated into the squad is going to be a gradual process:
-News: #Goretzka soll auch am Montag vs. Lettland geschont werden. Frühestmöglicher Einsatz ist der EM-Auftakt vs. Frankreich. LG ist in enger Absprache mit Löw. DFB will nichts riskieren. Seinen Vertragsverhandlungen mit dem #FCBayern widmet er sich wieder nach der EM. @SPORT1
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 2, 2021
News:#Goretzka should also be spared on Monday vs. Latvia. The earliest possible use is the European Championship opener vs. France. LG is in close consultation with Löw. DFB doesn’t want to risk anything. His contract negotiations with the #FCBayern he dedicates himself again after the EM.@SPORT1
With Goretzka expected to play a big role for Germany, Löw is not taking any chances with the 26-year-old star. Without playing in the pre-tournament friendlies, however, it will be interesting to see if Löw pulls the trigger on using Goretzka against the 2018 World Cup winners in Germany’s opening game.
In addition, Plettenberg reiterated previous reports that Goretzka’s negotiations with Bayern Munich for a contract extension are expected to heat up when the Euros are complete.