The Daily Bee: Marco Reus Opts out of Participation in EURO 2020

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Get your vaccines, everyone. I had my second dose on Monday and felt like I’d been hit by a truck yesterday, but today I feel much better, and I can’t wait to be able to finally see my family in a few weeks.

Marco Reus to Voluntarily Miss the European Championships

Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus has been vital to the club’s success this season, providing valuable leadership on and off the pitch while retaining his potency as an attacking threat. Unlike years past when injuries have cut his performances short, Reus has been healthy all year, barring the odd knock here and there.

Between his heavy usage and his advanced age, Reus has run himself into the ground over the course of the year. With only a few months of turnover until next season begins, Marco has made the tough decision not to represent Germany at the European Championships this year.

After a complicated, exhausting and, in the end, (thank God) successful season, I decided, together with coach Löw, not to go to the European Championships. This decision was very difficult for me because I am always full of pride when I am allowed to appear for my country. But after a very intense year for me personally and achieving my goals at BVB, I made the decision to give my body time to recover! “I will make good use of the break in order to be able to start the new season optimally! I wish Jogi and our team all the best for the Euros and I will cheer as a fan and keep my fingers crossed.”

Marco has been an absolute workhorse for Borussia Dortmund down the stretch of the season. He’s fourth on the team in minutes in all competitions this season, with 3,303 across the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFB Pokal. He’s also covered the second most distance in the Bundesliga among BVB players, at 281.3 kilometers. All this is quite remarkable given his age of 31 and his history with injuries.

Marco has historically been very unlucky with international competitions. He missed both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Championships with injuries, before appearing in all three games of Germany’s 2018 group stage exit at the World Cup. This could very well be the last major tournament he has an opportunity to play in, so I’m sure the decision to stay out of the squad wasn’t an easy one. It shows his commitment towards continuing to perform at an elite level for BVB and towards his own health, to be able to make such a decision.

Chelsea Interested in Maxence Lacroix

Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

21-year-old Wolfsburg center back Maxence Lacroix has been semi-frequently linked with Borussia Dortmund over the last few months. Now, Sky Germany has reported that Chelsea are also in the race. According to the article, it would cost about €30 million to pry Lacroix away from the Wolves.

The Daily Buzz

Do you think Marco sitting out of the Euros is the right decision?