Florian Wirtz was in top form once again against Freiburg. The 21-year-old was a central figure in the Werkself’s 5-1 win over Freiburg – and he even earned a very special accolade.
“Bayer Leverkusen and all of Germany are blessed with this player,” said Freiburg’s Michael Gregoritsch on Sky after the clear defeat in Leverkusen and admitted that he was “amazed” by Wirtz several times during the game. The 21-year-old repeatedly managed to extricate himself from difficult situations.
“The boy has so many solutions for so many moments,” Gregoritsch enthused, pointing out that Wirtz always ‘somehow finds a solution’ even in pressure situations. ”He feels like he can do whatever he wants – and it works. He hasn’t played a bad game in the last two and a half years.”
For Gregoritsch, Wirtz is simply an “incredible player” and someone for whom he wishes only the best. “I hope he stays healthy for as long as possible.” Although Wirtz’s gala performance on Saturday was “a real shame” for SC Freiburg, it doesn’t change the fact that Wirtz is generally “a joy to watch. You have to recognize that sometimes.”
Wirtz: Perfect passes and impressive consistency
Wirtz shone against Freiburg with three assists and a goal – for the first time, he was involved in four goals in the Bundesliga. In the current season, he already has 15 scorer points (seven goals, eight assists). “We don’t play as well without Florian,” admitted Patrik Schick, who scored four times. ‘He was very important again today. He gave me perfect assists – incredible. For a striker, it’s a dream to have a player like that behind you.’
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka was unsurprised by the exceptional talent’s performance. “I’m not surprised because I see him every day,” explained the Swiss player, praising his teammate for his tremendous consistency. “At his age, to be able to play at this level every three days deserves a great deal of respect. We are very happy to have him.”
Xhaka also made no secret of the fact that they would like to keep Wirtz at Bayer for longer. Although the midfielder said that the decision lies with Wirtz, he personally “doesn’t have the feeling that his thoughts are elsewhere. He’s a boy who doesn’t think that far ahead. He’s a boy who wants to work every day and just have fun playing football.”
And when Wirtz has fun playing football, then ultimately it’s a pleasure for every spectator, as Bayer’s sports director Simon Rolfes said: “You can see how light-footed he is when playing football – with how much joy and creativity. He is simply an outstanding player. Every spectator in the stadium today enjoyed watching Florian play football.”
