On Monday evening, Bayer Leverkusen confirmed via their social media channels that Florian Wirtz has completed part of team training for the first time since tearing his cruciate ligament on matchday 26 of the 2021/22 season, 225 days ago.
Speaking last week, B04 head coach Xabi Alonso doesn’t want to rush Wirtz (19) back after such a long time on the sidelines: “We look forward to this moment when he’s back but with Florian we need more progress because it was a long-term injury. We have to take the right steps at the right time.”
Yet to play this season, Wirtz still has a chance of making Hansi Flick’s Germany squad for the World Cup. As reported last month, the attacking-midfielder has to prove his fitness in training, not necessarily on the pitch.
According to Kicker, Bayer Leverkusen don’t expect Wirtz to make a starting XI before the World Cup, and it’s not their priority. Speaking last week, Oliver Bierhoff said: “With 26 players, there’s a lot to think about. Maybe it makes sense to take a player with you who doesn’t have the match practice but would then get to see a tournament like this.”
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
