Germany coach Joachim Loew defended Bayern Munich’s Mario Goetze yesterday after the Bundesliga champions were eliminated from the Champions League by Barcelona.
“Until recently Mario was still the best Goetze of all time, everyone’s World Cup hero - and now everything is bad,” Loew told the German Football Federation (DFB) website in an interview.
Goetze, who played only a few minutes in Bayern’s 5-3 aggregate defeat to Barca, has come under fire for his limited contribution to the campaign.
Former Bayern and Germany coach Franz Beckenbauer was among his recent critics, saying he behaved like a youth player and should grow up.
But Loew backed the 22-year-old who scored the winner in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina, saying Goetze could not be held to that standard all the time.
“Nobody can fulfil such expectations,” Loew said. “For me it is clear - Mario is an exceptional talent, a player who can make a difference.
“For me without doubt he is one of the best footballers in the world.”
Loew also praised Barcelona’s German keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for his role in guiding the club to the June 6 Champions League final in Berlin.
“We have always been convinced of his abilities and his great potential,” Loew said. “But it is obvious that Marc has made a big leap again in Spain.”