Bayer Leverkusen suffers defeat and injury concerns for Wirtz

Bayer Leverkusen’s coach Xabi Alonso summarized the team’s performance as „all bad“ following their 0-2 defeat against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. The loss was compounded by the injury of midfielder Florian Wirtz, who left the field on crutches.

Wirtz’s Early Exit

Wirtz, who was substituted in during the second half, played just eight minutes before being injured due to a foul by Mitchell Weiser. Weiser expressed regret over the incident, hoping that Wirtz’s injury would not be severe. Bremen’s coach Ole Werner sent his best wishes for Wirtz’s recovery, stating, „That’s something nobody wants to see.“

Match Overview

In front of 30,210 spectators, Leverkusen lost crucial points after conceding goals from Romano Schmid in the 7th minute and Justin Njinmah in stoppage time. Alonso urged his team to forget this match quickly.

Wirtz’s Condition Under Review

The specific nature of Wirtz’s injury remained uncertain as he was taken to the hospital for further examination. Alonso mentioned he had yet to speak with Wirtz and was waiting for the diagnosis. Leverkusen faces the possibility of being without their star player for the upcoming Champions League knockout match against Bayern Munich, where they need to overcome a 0-3 deficit from the first leg.

Referee Criticism

Defender Jonathan Tah expressed his frustration regarding the referee’s handling of the foul on Wirtz, arguing that it warranted a red card rather than just a yellow. He criticized the lack of intervention from the video assistant, emphasizing the need to protect players. Sport director Simon Rolfes echoed this sentiment, highlighting a lack of proportionality in the referee’s decisions.

Disappointing Performance

The defeat overshadowed the excitement of Wirtz’s injury, as Leverkusen missed an opportunity to close the gap on Bayern in the title race. Rolfes lamented the team’s lack of energy, determination, and teamwork, calling it a bitter performance. Following a disappointing showing just days before in the Champions League, Alonso made seven changes to the starting lineup, but the defending champions struggled to create scoring opportunities.

Tah referred to the match as one of their worst performances of the season, noting their inability to maintain possession and create danger. Alonso simply stated that they did not play well enough to win.