Bayer Leverkusen recently had to do without eight professionals due to injury. Ahead of the match against VfL Bochum, managing director Rudi Völler is confident of a quick comeback for one trio.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Mitchel Bakker, Charles Aranguiz, Julian Baumgartlinger, Florian Wirtz, Karim Bellarabi, Lucas Alario and Patrik Schick – what sounds like eight players in a Leverkusen starting line-up was Bayer 04’s list of absentees a week ago, but that is expected to be reduced at least somewhat by Saturday’s game against VfL Bochum.
Rudi Völler expects key player Florian Wirtz to be available again after his groin and hip problems. “We are very optimistic about Florian,” said Leverkusen’s managing director of sport about the 18-year-old idea generator and enforcer.
And Völler is also confident about the recently orphaned centre-forward position. Schick and Alario had to miss out on this position. At least with the latter, who was paralysed by muscular problems in his calf, the signs are favourable that he will make it until Saturday. “Alario is also looking good,” said Völler, assessing the situation.
Significantly more goal threat again
The return of the Argentine player and the goal-scoring ten-man Wirtz would significantly ease the personnel situation. The next candidate for a comeback against the promoted team is Karim Bellarabi, who is about to return to team training after tearing a muscle fibre in his thigh.
“I’ve also seen Bellarabi on the pitch,” said Völler, citing an indication that the winger could help against VfL. Alario, Bellarabi, Wirtz – three names that should ensure that Bayer develop a much greater scoring threat again. If possible against Bochum. After all, the Werksklub scored only four goals of their own in the last four league games, and only two points.
