Thomas Tuchel defends under-fire Mario Gotze

Dortmund's head coach Thomas Tuchel looks on prior the German first division football Bundesliga match Borussia Dortmund vs FC Schalke 04 on November 8, 2015, 2015
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Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel defends under-fire Mario Gotze and brands criticism of the attacker's performances 'unfair'.

Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel has leaped to the defence of Mario Gotze and claimed that criticism of the attacker's performances is unfair.

Gotze returned to Dortmund in July after a disappointing three-year spell with Bayern Munich, although he has not yet made his second debut for the Black and Yellows.

The 24-year-old was in action for Germany during the recent international break, but his performances in the fixtures against Finland and Norway drew criticism from a number of areas.

"Mario will definitely be there for the game against Leipzig and is an option for the starting XI. We have noticed how much Mario is talked about and how everything he does is watched through a magnifying glass," Tuchel told reporters.

"One can imagine that attitude is not always benefiting the player. No-one can imagine how he feels under all this. How would you feel if someone is always looking at what you are doing and keeps asking you at how much per cent you are? I think the criticism went too far. Boundaries have been crossed."

Dortmund will return to Bundesliga action with a trip to RB Leipzig on Saturday afternoon.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in action for Borussia Dortmund on December 15, 2015
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern Munich55001511415
2Borussia DortmundDortmund54011641212
3Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach5311106410
4Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt531185310
5Hertha Berlin531197210
6RB Leipzig52309459
7FC Koln42206248
8Mainz 055212121117
9Hoffenheim51409817
10Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen52128717
11Augsburg521246-27
12Freiburg42026606
13Wolfsburg512247-35
14SV Darmstadt 985113210-84
15Werder Bremen5104515-103
16FC Ingolstadt 04FC Ingolstadt 045014210-81
17Hamburger SV5014210-81
18Schalke 04Schalke5005210-80