Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 8y

Germany's Bernd Leno given all-clear after blackout in Leverkusen loss

Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno has been given the all-clear to join the Germany squad after suffering a blackout in his side's defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Leno, 24, put in an outstanding performance in Saturday's 2-1 loss despite having been struck in the face by an Oscar Wendt shot on 21 minutes, which he said left him unable to remember anything until the 35th minute of the game.

Despite that, he made a stop to deny Andre Hahn on 29 minutes and produced a number of other saves to keep Leverkusen in the game until Lars Stindl's 85th-minute winner for the hosts.

"I was in a daze for a short while," Leno told reporters after the match. "I can't remember what happened until the 35th minute, but as a keeper you have to be a bit crazy and be prepared for a ball to hit your face. I did that, and I would do it again."

Speaking to Bild, Leverkusen club doctor Philipp Ehrenstein said he had asked Leno to confirm where he was, which the keeper answered correctly, saying: "He was able to answer everything, was not unconscious."

The head of Bayer's medical department, Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar, added: "Bernd was all fine but for a short memory gap."

On Sunday, Leverkusen confirmed on their official website that Leno has been given the all clear and will join the Germany team as they prepare for their first match of the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign in Norway next weekend.

"I am fine," Leno told the club's official website. "Everything was checked again today. I am looking forward to joining the national team on Monday."

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