Eintracht Frankfurt’s Albert Riera angered by questions over dropping of Mario Götze
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Albert Riera angered by questions over dropping of Mario Götze New Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Albert Riera – despite being the only Bundesliga coach working with a language barrier – has largely had no difficulty adjusting to Germany since his surprise appointment some six weeks ago. Sunday delivered a different moment. The highly energetic and enthusiastic head coach had to answer for the fact that he dropped Mario Götze from his matchday squad ahead of Sunday’s Bundesliga loss against Mainz.
Germans naturally had to know why their 2014 World Cup hero had to watch from the stands. Mario Götze has been fading from Albert Riera’s sights Götze has actually started three league fixtures under Riera, but remained unused on the bench in the last two Bundesliga rounds. The 33-year-old is neither injured nor carrying any sort of lingering injury.
Much of this has to do with the fact that players such as Ansgar Knauff, Younes Enboutalib, Arthur Theate, and Can Uzun have recovered from injury. Speaking to DAZN prior to kickoff, Riera cited the need to keep defender Elias Baum on the squad as the lone defensive relief player. Riera then lauded Götze for his “ professionalism ” and “ character ” in accepting the decision.
The Spaniard cited his experience on the Spanish national team as an example of the fact that sometimes there simply isn’t enough room. Riera then got feisty at the press conference. Riera’s press conference rant “ You asked me a question, I’ll ask you a question, ” Riera – visibly agitated – began in response to the Götze query.
“ Which player should I remove from the team to make room for Mario? Who? Tell me one player .