Back
20.05.2022Bayer 04

News in brief: Flick on World Cup chances for Wirtz

Germany coach Hansi Flick has talked about Werkself player Florian Wirtz possibly playing in the World Cup. Also in today’s news in brief: The winner scored by Exequiel Palacios in the 2-1 victory SC Freiburg in video game format and the birthday of a Bayer 04 Women’s team player.
crop_20220313_FS_B04v_FCK_30627.jpg

At a press conference ahead of the international fixtures in the UEFA Nations League, Hansi Flick was asked about the chances of the currently injured Florian Wirtz playing in the World Cup in November 2022. “Flo Wirtz is one of our most highly gifted players.” However, it does depend on the 19-year-old “being 100% fit so that there are no risks at all. We will make sure that nothing goes wrong.”

Wirtz suffered a torn cruciate in the derby against FC Köln last March. That means just one thing for a football player: a long time on the sidelines and a tough path back to the pitch. The example of a 2014 World Cup winner does provide hope. Sami Khedira also suffered a torn cruciate back in November 2013 and he was fit again in time for the start of the World Cup in Brazil in June 2014.

The Bayer 04 number 27 is currently working daily on his comeback. He is certainly making great efforts at the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehab centre. It remains to be seen if he’ll be fit again in November 2022 when Germany challenge for the World Cup in Qatar.

Palacios' long-range cracker in Video game format

The German Football League (DFL), in tandem with their partner EA Sports, select spectacular incidents from every Bundesliga matchday for their #BLrecreated series, which are then presented in the FIFA football game format. On matchday 34, they opted for the winner at 2-1 scored by Exequiel Palacios in the match against SC Freiburg. The Argentina international gained possession on the halfway line in the seventh minute of added time, then shot from the semi-circle to secure three points for the Black and Reds very late on. Here's the video.

happy birthday, Sylwia

Bayer 04 midfielder Sylwia Matysik today celebrates her 25th birthday. The Poland international joined the Werkself from Polish top-flight club Gornik Leczna at the start of the 2020/21 season. The number four in the Bayer 04 Women’s team has made 31 appearances in the Women’s Bundesliga and Women’s DFB Cup over the past two seasons. Have a great day, Sylwia.

Related News

crop_imago1070779211.jpg
Bayer 04 - 10.01.2026

AFCON blog: Ben Seghir reaches semi-finals

Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...

Show more
Martin Terrier
Bundesliga - 10.01.2026

Werkself beaten 4-1 by Stuttgart at start of the year

The Werkself began 2026 with defeat, losing 4-1 at home to VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 16 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga. Jamie Leweling opened the scoring early, with Maximilian Mittelstädt making it 2-0 from a penalty before Leweling again and Deniz Undav increased the lead to 4-0 just before half-time. Alejandro Grimaldo's penalty reduced the deficit midway through the second period.

Show more
Bayer 04 x Crown Coins
Business - 10.01.2026

Digital platform Crown Coins becomes new partner in Bayer 04 Sponsors Club

Bayer 04 Leverkusen has gained a new partner in digital gaming platform Crown Coins, which joins the Bundesliga runners-up's Sponsors Club with immediate effect. The one-and-a-half-year contract runs until 30 June 2027.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04VfB
Bundesliga - 10.01.2026

Matchday News #B04VfB: New stoppage time display for third straight Saturday primetime clash

The Werkself host VfB Stuttgart this evening (10 January, 18:30 CET), a side whose recent Bundesliga form has been indifferent but who have regularly produced top performances in the DFB Pokal and UEFA Europa League, and who have a key player back in the squad in striker Ermedin Demirovic. Off the pitch, the BayArena faithful will be able to see the remaining stoppage time live on the video screens. The Matchday News.

Show more