Florian Wirtz back in the spotlight as Bayer Leverkusen face Mainz

This comes after Wirtz was unexpectedly left out of the starting eleven in their recent 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

Alonso addressed the situation at a press conference on Monday, clarifying that Wirtz's absence from the Dortmund game was due to logistical issues. "He missed the final preparations for the game after getting stuck in a traffic jam," Alonso explained.

Despite the hiccup, Wirtz made an impact as a substitute, coming on after just over an hour into the match.

"There is no problem. He will play from the start tomorrow," Alonso assured the reporters.

On the injury front, Alonso provided updates on several key players. Victor Boniface, sidelined since November with a hamstring injury, might be nearing a return.

"There's still a question mark. He's going in the right direction in terms of feeling perfect and then he needs time to train," Alonso noted, hinting at a possible comeback next week.

Regarding Amine Adli, who has been out with a broken fibula, the coach stated that he expects the player to be back in late January or early February.

Leverkusen's have shown resilience this season, adapting to various challenges including injuries and last-minute changes.

With Wirtz back in the lineup, fans and pundits alike will be keen to see if he can steer his team to another victory over Mainz, a team known for their tough defensive strategies but also vulnerable to quick counter-attacks.

This match could be pivotal as Leverkusen aim to maintain their momentum in the Bundesliga standings, with every point crucial in the race for the top spots.

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