Injury cloud hangs over Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz ahead of vital clash

Wirtz, a key figure for Leverkusen, sustained a knock during the recent DFB-Pokal victory over Paderborn, leaving Coach Xabi Alonso unsure about his availability.

In the midweek clash, Wirtz was forced off the field after a tackle from Paderborn's Filip Bilbija left him nursing an ankle injury. Jonas Hofmann stepped in as the young attacker limped away, signalling potential concerns for Leverkusen's upcoming fixture.

Addressing the media at Friday's press conference, Xabi Alonso provided insights into Wirtz's status, stating, "He was in individual training today. We take it day by day. We have to wait for tomorrow and then we'll have another day before Sunday. We have the last training session tomorrow, and then we'll see. It's too early to say."

Pressed for further details on Wirtz's injury, Alonso emphasized that while it's not a major setback, the team is cautiously monitoring his progress. "It's not a big injury. One day can be very important, so let's wait and see. It is better. He's getting better every day," Alonso added, displaying a hint of optimism.

The uncertainty surrounding Wirtz's availability has prompted speculation about potential replacements. When asked if Amine Adli could step in, Alonso remained non-committal, saying, "We haven't decided what to do. Of course, we have options. It's too early to decide. I always want to be optimistic, and right now I have reason to be optimistic, but we have to wait a little bit longer."

With Leverkusen currently perched atop the Bundesliga table, the clash against VFB Stuttgart takes on added significance. The team hold 35 points from 13 games, narrowly leading second-placed Bayern Munich with 32 points from 12 matches. Stuttgart, standing at 30 points after 13 matches, are keen on closing the gap.

The impending Bundesliga match promises high stakes, potentially reshaping the league's standings.

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