Leverkusen (AP) – Lukas Hradecky and Lothar Matthäus competed for the greatest praise for young star Florian Wirtz.
“Even in worse games, he’s world class,” said Bayer Leverkusen’s captain Hradecky after the 4-2 win over Stuttgart about his 18-year-old team-mate. And Sky expert Matthäus stated appreciatively: “I didn’t have the skills he has.”
The former world footballer Matthäus liked the young national player’s strategic skills and enthusiasm for the game. “Football is a game of chess. And he plays with foresight,” he said: “And with what ease, joy and commitment he does it, with a smile on his face, that’s fun for everyone who loves football.”
And while others outbid each other with compliments, Wirtz himself came to a completely different conclusion: “That wasn’t necessarily my best game.” In the end there was a goal, an assist and an offside goal. And the start-up difficulties were justifiable. “He’s getting more and more special protection,” explained coach Gerardo Seoane. That’s why he’s going “other ways to open up paths”. That, according to Wirtz, “is important. That’s why I’m doing it. And I accept that I’m not that good at the game.” In the end he ran the most of all with 12.2 kilometers. So he is also good for the team.