Bayer Leverkusen’s coach and Spanish legend Xabi Alonso is a relieved man today – despite seeing his team lose 3-0 against Scottish giants Rangers in a friendly. There is a lot to look forward for the Werkself supporters – because their most talented young player Florian Wirtz is finally back.The January transfer window hasn’t even opened yet, but Xabi Alonso says that seeing Wirtz back on the pitch is like making the best signing in the transfer market. The Spaniard expects decisive input from the 19-year-old. “He will give us many things. His individual qualities, his ability to link our midfielders to the attackers, and to find different solutions between the lines – those are the qualities every team needs.”🫶 Florian #Wirtz kommt für Kerem #Demirbay rein. #RFCB04 | #Bayer04 | #Wirtz pic.twitter.com/N7dLFDS5Rj— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) December 10, 2022 It took Wirtz over eight months to recover from his cruciate ligament tear, but Alonso says that it was worth waiting for the highly-rated youngster.”The players with his ability are the difference makers – and he’s such a player. With his individual quality and his inspiration, he has the ability to change matches.”Wirtz came on after an hour of play in Bayer’s 3-0 defeat at Ibrox in Glasgow, prompting cheers of relief from the fans. The injury he sustained earlier this year rid Florian of being one of the youngest players in the World Cup in Qatar. But he must now look ahead and ensure his comeback goes smoothly. Xabi Alonso is not worried that Wirtz could suffer from a mental block after the severe injury. “Of course, there’s a difference between training and a friendly and then another competitive game. But I think his head is clear.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6882930##The long mid-season break is helping the club and Wirtz reintegrate the dangerous creative player into the team. The coach wants to carefully increase the load on the young star over the four preparatory games before the league restarts on 22 January at Borussia Monchengladbach.Leverkusen currently occupy 12th place in the Bundesliga table after Alonso was appointed in place of the sacked Gerardo Seoane. The Spaniard took the team from second-bottom into a respectable mid-table position and is now determined to build on it. In Wirtz, he’s getting a precious asset.
