FLORIAN WIRTZ NEWS

Subs on during friendly Wirtz (knee) was a late addition to Saturday's friendly loss to Rangers.

Impact Wirtz returns after missing over eight months with a torn ACL. One can only hope that he can recapture the form that made him one of the best youngsters in Germany and Europe, though he still has another month to recover his fitness until the Bundesliga season restarts in January.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Active in training Wirtz (knee) returned to training Monday, his club announced.

Impact The race is now on to be fit for 2023, and Wirtz has plenty of time to make that happen after missing out on Germany's World Cup plans. Fortunately there are no Bundesliga matches to play until Jan. 22 for Wirtz.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't make World Cup team Wirtz (knee) didn't make Germany's roster for the World Cup, it was announced Thursday.

Impact If Wirtz isn't fit enough to travel to Qatar despite attempts to make it back in time, then he's unlikely to be fit Saturday against Stuttgart. As he's still close to returning, Wirtz should be able to regain most of his fitness before the Bundesliga resumes in 2023.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable against Koln Wirtz (knee) will miss Wednesday's match at Koln.

Impact Wirtz gets one final chance to play in Saturday's match against Stuttfart, though unless he's able to feature during the World Cup it seems unlikely he'll play in 2022 aside from a spot friendly.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Wirtz (knee) isn't ready for Sunday's match against Union Berlin.

Impact Wirtz would probably be ready to play if the season wasn't breaking for the World Cup in 10 days, but instead he's narrowly missing out on the final club games of 2022. His status is likely to be day-to-day until he gets the all-clear.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Wirtz (knee) is out for Tuesday's clash with Club Brugge, according to manager Xabi Alonso.

Impact Wirtz remains out with a long-term knee issue. There's some hope he can make a return before the World Cup, though the overwhelming outlook has been that they will be cautious with Wirtz. His next chance to return is a Bundesliga clash with Union Berlin on Sunday.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to team training Wirtz (knee) is back in team training, but won't be rushed back, according to manager Xabi Alonso.

Impact Wirtz returning to team training is excellent news for Germany and Leverkusen. That said it remains to be seen if he will actually play before the World Cup, or travel to the World Cup. Wirtz would be a welcome addition to both squads having showed his consistent world-class form before the knee injury.

OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Training partially with team Wirtz returned to partial team training with Leverkusen on Monday.

Impact Wirtz has been sidelined for the last seven months since tearing his ACL in March, but he continues making progress towards his return as he's now able to train with his teammates in some fashion. There is still a chance he can get fit in time to make it to the World Cup with Germany.

OCTOBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set for training return Wirtz (knee) is set to return to team training within a week, Leverkusen announced.

Impact Wirtz was always going to be eager to get back as soon as possible with a World Cup looming and Germany among the tournament favorites. This return is well ahead of schedule, but the midfielder has faced no set backs according to the team, and is continuing to thrive in recovery. Wirtz would be a major addition to a Leverkusen team shockingly sitting in the relegation zone early in the campaign.

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Targeting October training return Wirtz (knee) is targeting a return to team training in mid-October to try and join the German World Cup squad, according to SPORTBILD.

Impact Wirtz is ahead of schedule in his recovery, though Leverkusen will certainly be cautious with their wonderkid. The attacking midfielder is still targeting a return for the World Cup, a time frame that was originally unthinkable for an injury that was expected to knock him out until early 2023. It remains to be seen if he will get enough playing time, if any, for Leverkusen to be selected for the German World Cup team, though he would certainly elevate both his club and national teams.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Training individually Wirtz (knee) was in individual training as he continues to recover from a ruptured ACL.

Impact Wirtz is one of the top players in the Bundesliga despite being just 19-years-old and it appears he's even exceptional at healing. The attacking midfielder is targeting a return in 2023 and has already made his way back to light individual drills. 2023 is still the conservative time table but Wirtz returning to the pitch in any capacity is excellent news for Leverkusen.

JULY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

With training camp Wirtz (knee) was named to the traveling group for a preseason camp in Austria, it was announced July 14.

Impact Unlike some of his injured teammates, Wirtz is still rehabbing while with the team instead of building towards match fitness. It's likely to take until later in 2022 or into early 2023 to get back one of the brighter stars in Germany after Wirtz scored 10 goals and provided 14 assists between the league and UEL last season.

JULY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Extends contract with Leverkusen Wirtz (knee) has signed a five-year contract extension with Bayer Leverkusen, the club announced Thursday.

Impact Wirtz is currently rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered in March, but the 19-year-old is already one of the most talented young players in Europe, as he has 13 Bundesliga goals and 16 assists to his name from attacking midfield. He is now signed on with Leverkusen through 2026/27.

JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Aiming for 2023 return Wirtz (ACL) is aiming for a 2023 return, according to manager Gerardo Seoane.

Impact Wirtz missed the end of the 2021/22 season, and isn't likely to return until well into the 2022/23 campaign. The 18-year-old underwent reconstructive surgery and will now look to recover as quickly as possible to continue his meteoric rise through the German ranks.

MAY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Haaland, Reyna back as Dortmund cuts Bayern's lead at top

Erling Haaland and Gio Reyna returned from injury as Borussia Dortmund cut Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga lead to seven points with a 1-0 win over coronavirus-hit Arminia Bielefeld

MARCH 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Torn ACL confirmed Wirtz suffered a torn ACL in Sunday's defeat against FC Koln, Leverkusen announced after the game.

Impact Wirtz's season is over, as the 18-year-old tallied seven goals and 10 assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances, and another three goals and four assists in the Europa League this campaign. One of Germany and Europe's brightest talents, he will now start the long road to recovery from this injury. Wirtz's absence will likely mean more game time for the likes of Amine Adli, Paulinho and Karim Bellarabi in attacking midfield.

MARCH 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off injured against Koln Wirtz was subbed out of Sunday's defeat against FC Koln in the 28th minute after suffering a knee injury. Leverkusen manager Gerardo Seoane said after the match that he was taken t...

Impact Wirtz was one of three players to go down injured for Leverkusen in the first half, and the teenager with 17 direct goal involvements in the Bundesliga this season will hope that his injury isn't serious. More information should emerge once the MRI tests have concluded.

MARCH 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Whips in six crosses Wirtz took three off target shots, crossed six times inaccurately and created three chances during Saturday's 3-0 win over Bielefeld.

Impact Wirtz was held off the scoresheet despite being active in attack on Saturday. The attacker finished with the second highest amount of chances created on the team while leading Leverkusen with six crosses in the win.

FEBRUARY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

MATCHDAY: Juventus hosts Torino for the Derby della Mole

Juventus hosts Torino for the Turin Derby after Danilo’s injury-time equalizer at Atalanta on Sunday stretched Juve’s unbeaten run in the league to 11 games

FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goal, assist in win Wirtz scored once and provided one assist during Saturday's 4-2 win over Stuttgart.

Impact Wirtz was the main creative hub of the Leverkusen attack Saturday, producing dangerous chances continuously. The midfielder is a top option in the Bundesliga and has 17 goal contributions in 18 starts. Mainz should have no way to handle Wirtz on Friday, as they have struggled defensively recently.

FEBRUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Humiliating 5-2 home loss for Dortmund against Leverkusen

Borussia Dortmund has been outclassed and outgunned in a humiliating 5-2 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga

FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores with lone shot Wirtz scored a goal with his lone shot while crossing three times inaccurately during Sunday's 5-2 win over Dortmund.

Impact Wirtz found the back of the net in the 20th minute scoring Leverkusen's second goal. The goal was the sixth of the season for the midfielder coming from his lone shot in the match.

FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gladbach in crisis after 2-1 loss to Union, Dortmund wins

Max Kruse has scored twice for Union Berlin to leave Borussia Mönchengladbach in crisis after a 2-1 defeat in the Bundesliga

JANUARY 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Earns ninth assist Wirtz provided one assist on seven chances created during Saturday's 2-1 win over Gladbach.

Impact Wirtz had a video game-esque day with seven chances created as he simply ran the match. The young attacking midfielder is already world-class and is worth rostering in any and all fantasy slates. Next up for Wirtz is a Saturday clash with Augsburg at home.

JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Whips in seven crosses Wirtz took one shot (on goal), crossed seven times (three accurate) and created three chances during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Union Berlin.

Impact Wirtz was held off the scoresheet as Leverkusen split the points with Union on Saturday. The midfielder took just one shot but finished with the second highest amount of crosses and chances created on the team in the draw.

JANUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE