Bayern’s Brazzo accuses Marco Reus of skipping Germany game for Dortmund

Hasan Salihamidzic has never been a friend of the media, but sometimes he comes up with some really cool soundbites. This time, in an interview following Bayern Munich’s win over RB Leipzig, the club’s sporting director said what we were all thinking when Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus was declared “unfit” to play for Germany against Iceland.

On Sky90, Brazzo found it rather convenient for Dortmund that Marco Reus left the national team early and played on the weekend. He said (via kicker),

“It’s definitely sometimes surprising when someone leaves the national team and then plays two or three days later,” meaning Marco Reus. “It’s not the first time, either,” Brazzo continued. “Our players stay there and always play,” he concluded.

While it might seem mean-spirited to the outside observer, Brazzo has a point here. Hansi Flick never elaborated on the nature of Reus’ injury, and the player didn’t even have to leave the German training camp to go back to Dortmund for treatment.

Even back then, plenty of Germany fans saw something suspicious with the announcement, suspecting that concessions had been made to allow Reus to be rested before playing against Bayer Leverkusen this Saturday. Our predicted lineup article even said as much:

Marco Reus has filled his quota of one Germany game per year and is back on the injury list. He will be starting for Dortmund again on Saturday, so don’t worry too much about him.

Obviously, Brazzo probably doesn’t have any evidence pointing to anything suspicious, but it is strange that Reus played the full 90 versus Bayer with no issues. If he really was injured as recently as Wednesday, then why wasn’t he subbed off as a precaution?

In comparison, when Bayern’s players got injured in the international break, they almost always end up missing their next club game. The only exception would be Alphonso Davies, but even he was subbed off injured in Canada’s game against the USA, and had to return to Bayern early for an evaluation. Thomas Muller also got injured during the break, but it was was early in the schedule and he didn’t play the full 90 versus Leipzig.

This statement by Brazzo might cause a stir, given how Michael Zorc reacted:

“Salihamidzic should shut his trap and comment on subjects concerning Bayern München. Who does he actually think he is?” Zorc said.

Is this going to be the next significant beef between Bayern and BVB?