Bayer Leverkusen: Xabi Alonso sees Florian Wirtz as a World Cup option

Comeback after cruciate ligament tear

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso is satisfied with Florian Wirtz’s recovery from his cruciate ligament injury and can even imagine the young star taking part in the World Cup. “Florian worked hard. We don’t have a specific time in mind for his return to the pitch, but he’ll return sooner rather than later,” said Alonso before the away game in the Bundesliga at RB Leipzig on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / “Sky”).

Wirtz, the second most valuable German teenager in football, tore his cruciate ligament in March and has been taking part in team training again since the beginning of the week. Should the 19-year-old attacking midfielder be fit and nominated by national coach Hansi Flick in good time before the World Cup in Qatar, which begins on November 20, Alonso would not stand in his way. “We have to be patient, Florian had a serious injury. But if he can be at the World Cup, then he’s there. We won’t stop him, but we won’t push him in that direction either. We have to be sure that it’s the right moment.”

Before the Bundesliga duel with Leipzig, who have been unbeaten in eight competitive games, the coach left open which squad he was planning. In the case of Kerem Demirbay and Charles Aranguiz, who were recently missing, he wants to wait for the final training session, but he is “optimistic” about Patrik Schick.

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