Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz will miss Tuesday’s crucial Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match against Bayern Munich due to a ligament injury in his right ankle. The injury, sustained during Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen, is expected to sideline the 21-year-old for several weeks.
The news is a significant blow to Leverkusen, who are already facing a daunting 3-0 deficit from the first leg against Bayern. Wirtz has been a key player for Leverkusen this season, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists in the Bundesliga, along with six goals in the Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen confirmed the injury in a statement: “Bayer 04 will have to manage without Florian Wirtz. The Germany international suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle in the home game against Werder Bremen on Saturday. The 21-year-old midfielder will be out of action for several weeks.”
Wirtz will also miss Germany’s upcoming Nations League quarter-final matches against Italy on March 20th and 23rd. Leverkusen, the current Bundesliga title holders, are also in the German Cup semi-finals.
Bayer 04 sporting managing director Simon Rolfes expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic: “The loss of Florian obviously hits us hard in this phase of the season but we will compensate for him with a strong squad. We know Florian and also know he will come back as soon as possible. We are assuming he will be fully fit again for the end of the season run-in.”
Wirtz’s absence adds to the challenge facing Leverkusen as they attempt to overturn the first-leg deficit against Bayern and progress in the Champions League. It also puts pressure on the rest of the squad to step up in his absence, both in Europe and in their ongoing Bundesliga campaign, where they sit eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
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