Ahead of the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 against Atalanta Bergamo (first leg 2:3), the mood at Bayer Leverkusen is soured after Florian Wirtz ruptured his cruciate ligament. In addition to the top star, right-back Jeremie Frimpong is also out with an ankle injury.
The good mood has been blown away. Of course. The shock of top star Florian Wirtz’s serious injury in the 1-0 defeat in the derby against 1. FC Köln is still in everyone’s bones at Bayer Leverkusen.
“We are all extremely touched when a player is seriously injured. It’s felt by everyone, but it would be the same for any other player,” explained Gerardo Seoane. However, in the case of the 18-year-old, the shake-up is a bit bigger, as the coach admits: “With Florian, it’s a bit more special because of his young age and the importance on the pitch.”
Apart from Wirtz, for whom the season is obviously over, Bayer 04 will also have to do without Jeremie Frimpong. The right-back suffered an ankle injury in the derby. On Tuesday, the diagnosis, which has not yet been announced, will still be discussed with the 21-year-old. This suggests that the type of treatment will be discussed and that Frimpong will consequently miss out.
On the other hand, the all-clear has been given for Odilon Kossounou, who was substituted against Cologne due to muscular problems. But the Ivorian has not suffered a structural injury, is expected to return to training this week and could probably be available on Sunday in Wolfsburg, possibly even on Thursday against Bergamo.
There are no other positive reports from the lazaretto yet. However, Seoane is only waiting for the green light from the medical department for right-winger Karim Bellarabi and six-man Robert Andrich, who trained with the reserves on Monday after suffering a fibre tear and knee irritation respectively.
The duo could be an alternative again as early as against Atalanta. “I’m waiting for the okay from the doctors on that,” explained Seoane, who expects that to be given on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Schick could be an option against Wolfsburg at the earliest
Patrik Schick will have to wait at least a little longer for his comeback. On Monday, the goal scorer completed his first individual unit with football boots on the pitch after a fibre tear in his calf. The coach does not completely rule out a return to the line-up for the league match in Wolfsburg. Seoane: “Whether it will last until Sunday is a question mark. “