Thomas Tuchel defends underfire 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
© Getty Images
Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel defends underfire Mario Gotze and brands criticism of the attacker's performances 'unfair'.

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

Jurgen Norbert Klopp knows where his loyalties lie during the Europa League quarter-final between Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund on April 14, 2016
Read Next:
Liverpool's Pulisic bid rejected?
>

CountryGoldGSilverSBronzeBTotal
1 ChinaChina705637163
2 Great BritainGreat Britain43232894
3 UkraineUkraine29222879
Tables