Germany and Bayern Munich star Mario Götze could miss the remainder of football this year with a groin injury he picked up during the defeat to the Republic of Ireland. The DFB have estimated a 10-12 week period on the sidelines.
A setback for Germany and Bayern
The 23-year-old hobbled off after 35 minutes of the clash in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Germany went on to lose the game one-nil, thanks to a special strike from Shane Long in the second half. The defeat means that Joachim Löw's side now need to beat Georgia to ensure top spot in their group.
The German Football Association broke the news on Friday, with doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt saying: "Mario suffered a tendon tear in the abductor muscle while making a lunge." Löw gave his best to one of the squad's star midfielders well after the announcement, "We wish him a good recovery - I'm certain he'll be back to his good form again."
He will continue a course of treatment with the national team in Leipzig, where the face Georgia in their final qualifier on Sunday. As well as missing that match, he will also be absent for Germany's friendlies against France and the Netherlands in November.
What crucial clashes will he miss?
For Bayern, it is also a blow. Götze will be unavailable for their UEFA Champions League double header against Arsenal, and the rest of the Bavarians' group games. He will play no part in their DFB-Pokal clash against reigning champions, VfL Wolfsburg. Their are also several Bundesliga tussles he won't be fit for, although Bayern's perfect start to every competition means that his replacement will be full of confidence.
That looks set to be Kingsley Coman, who has been in stunning form. The French youngster, who is on loan from Juventus, has taken to life in Munich like a duck to water and popped up with goals and assists with regularity in the early part of the season.