Mario Gotze is making significant progress

Since returning to Borussia Dortmund last summer from Bayern Munich, Mario Gotze has not seen much playing time. Sidelined with five separate ailments last year, Gotze has finally worked back to full health and is getting fit for the new season ahead.

On Saturday, when Dortmund hosts Bayern in the DFL-SuperCup, Gotze could possibly feature in the match. The 25-year-old is also expected to play a big role in creating offense in 2017/18.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s fixture, Dortmund manager Peter Bosz was optimistic about the midfielder’s continued progress.

“He is on his way very good,” Bosz said in the press conference.

Gotze has already played some minutes in the preseason, making his season debut in a victory over Urawa Red Diamond in the J. League World Challenge. Gotze then played a half-hour against AC Milan, 45 minutes against VfL Bochum, and the full 90 against Atalanta and Espanyol.

“He had needed game time but we have to be careful,” Bosz said. “So far it works very well.”

While it is still unclear if Gotze will be involved in the proceedings on Saturday, Bosz made clear at the press conference that Erik Durm, Andre Schurrle, and Emre Mor will be in the SuperCup squad.