Bayer Leverkusen have suffered a significant setback ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Bayern Munich, as star midfielder Florian Wirtz has been ruled out with an ankle ligament injury. The 21-year-old German international sustained the injury during Leverkusen’s 2-0 Bundesliga loss to Werder Bremen on Saturday. Following an MRI scan, the club confirmed that Wirtz would be sidelined for several weeks, missing crucial fixtures for both club and country.
Wirtz's absence will be felt in Tuesday’s Champions League showdown, where Leverkusen face the daunting task of overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Bayern. Head coach Xabi Alonso, however, remains optimistic. Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Alonso acknowledged Wirtz's importance but emphasized the team’s collective strength.
“I feel sorry for Flo. He was in great form,” Alonso said. “But now is a good moment to show that we are a complete team even without him.”
Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah echoed his manager’s sentiments, stating, “It’s a big test for us. We can prove that we are a team that can handle it. We will play for him.”
The loss of Wirtz comes at a critical juncture in Leverkusen’s season. The talented midfielder has been instrumental in their campaign, scoring nine Bundesliga goals and assisting ten more, while also contributing six goals in the Champions League. Beyond Tuesday’s clash, Wirtz is set to miss Germany’s UEFA Nations League quarterfinals against Italy on March 20 and March 23. His participation in the DFB-Pokal semifinal against Arminia Bielefeld on April 1 is also in doubt.
Despite the setback, Alonso remains hopeful that Leverkusen can pull off a historic comeback. Only four teams in Champions League history have managed to overturn a three-goal deficit in a knockout tie, but Alonso believes his squad is capable of achieving something special.
“The first thing we have to do is believe,” he said. “This is an all-in, make-or-break game. We must play with heart, passion, and intelligence.”
Leverkusen will also be without defender Nordi Mukiele, adding to their challenges. However, the reigning Bundesliga champions are determined to rise to the occasion. As Alonso pointed out, adversity can serve as motivation.
“The injury could also be a boost,” he said. “To say we fight for the big game but also for Flo.”
Tuesday’s match will be a true test of Leverkusen’s resilience. With Wirtz sidelined, it’s now up to his teammates to step up and keep their Champions League hopes alive.
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