Florian Wirtz out for several weeks ahead of UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich

Florian Wirtz, the great attacking midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen, is expected to miss several weeks due to an ankle ligament injury, which would significantly hurt the team's already challenging defense of the German title.  Sporting director Simon Rolfes stated that Wirtz's right ankle injury "obviously affects us," but he also stated that he anticipates Wirtz's comeback before the season ends.

However, Xabi Alonso's team was behind 1-0 at the half when he was substituted. “We know Florian, and we know that he will return as soon as possible,” Rolfes said in a statement. “We’re operating on the assumption that he will be back at full fitness for the last stretch of the season.”

After limping off Saturday's 2-0 loss to Werder Bremen due to an injury, 21-year-old Wirtz will now miss Tuesday's second-leg matchup between Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16.  After the first leg, Bayern is ahead 3-0. The injury occurred while Wirtz's long-term future with the team is in doubt.  An agreement has not yet been reached in the protracted negotiations to extend Wirtz's existing contract, which expires in 2027. 

Florian Wirtz's injury comes ahead of some important matches

Leverkusen is currently eight points behind Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga after Xabi Alonso's club lost to Bremen, wasting an opportunity to reduce Bayern's lead.In the Bundesliga this season, Wirtz has scored nine goals and assisted on ten more. He has also scored six goals in the Champions League.

Florian Wirtz is unlikely to return by April 1, when DFB-Pokal holders Leverkusen play Arminia Bielefeld in the competition's semi-finals, and he will miss Germany's quarterfinal matchup against Italy, which is scheduled to take place over two legs on March 20 and 23.