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Bayer Leverkusen can rely on the last injured exceptional player Florian Wirtz in the end of the season. “He is fit and he is in the squad. He can play, also from the beginning,” said Bayer coach Xabi Alonso before the Bundesliga home game against Union Berlin on Saturday (3:30 p.m./Sky).
Since the 25th matchday, the double winner had to do without the 21-year-old. Wirtz suffered an inner ligament injury in the right ankle almost four weeks ago in the Bundesliga game against Werder Bremen (0: 2) as a substitute at a foul by Mitchell Weiser (30). Wirtz has been fully in team training again since the beginning of the week.
“I always said that we are a better team with Florian. Flo is our difference. We need him and of course we missed him, especially in the Champions League and in the cup,” said Alonso. “We play better with him and want to feel this flow again.”
Alonso and Wirtz do not talk about the future at Bayer Leverkusen
The contractual situation at Wirtz is still unclear. For months, FC Bayern has been voying the international, who still has a contract at Bayer until 2027. Other top clubs like Manchester City are also regularly associated with Wirtz.
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When asked about the change speculations, Alonso said: “His mentality and will quickly be fit and back with the team and to have fun. This is not an issue for us. We don’t talk about it.” Wirtz is 100 percent focused.
The Spaniard did not want to comment on speculation about his future. “I have nothing new to say,” emphasized Alonso. Above all, a possible change from the master coach Real Madrid, where Carlo Ancelotti wobbles against FC Arsenal after the bitter 0: 3 in the Champions League quarter-finals, is repeatedly discussed in the media.