Florian, there probably isn't anyone here at Bayer 04 who did not root for you over the past months. Everybody's looking forward to you playing again. Up to now it definitely wasn't always easy for you. Are there also some positives you can take from that time?
Wirtz: My take from that time is that you should never bury your head in the sand and that you can actually always take something positive from setbacks. During the phase where I couldn't be on the pitch I had the chance to work through things you don't normally have time for. For me, that meant I was primarily able to bring my physical condition, my muscles up to the next level.
What support did you receive over that time?
Wirtz: The support was overwhelming from the first second. From my family and my friends of course but also from the club, everybody in the squad, the coaching staff and the management. They built me up and cheered me up again and again. They believed in me, assured me I'd play well again and I still had enough time ahead of me. It was really great to get so much encouragement. Above all, to be honest, at the start where I also had sad phases.
How far was it possible to keep close to the team including during your rehab?
Wirtz: It was difficult to see members of the team in the first months where I was still on crutches. I was often up in the Werkstatt where I showered and got changed. That meant I was significantly more shielded from the team than usual. But that made me even more motivated to get back amongst the lads as quickly as possible. Above all, I looked forward to finally be able to sit in the dressing room again, get changed together, have meals together, and simply have the same experiences. I just wanted to be back with my friends again.
What are your personal and team targets for 2023?
Wirtz: For me the comeback is something really special. I look forward to the moment I've worked towards for so long. It's the first competitive match and it's all about winning. In friendlies you mainly want to build up confidence and fine tune certain things. Now it's about what I like most in football – the competition where you have to prove yourselves as a team and individually. I'd like to show the people I can play good football and I want to carry on with the team where we left off before the winter break.
And are you a little bit nervous?
Wirtz: (He laughs) I've talked about that to a couple of people. I prefer to describe it as positive anticipation, which I can actually deal with really well. It almost feels normal again now to be in the rhythm of the regular week of training. There are a few slight changes that are unusual such as spending time together at the hotel before the match where the final team meeting is held. I haven't done that for a long time.
What was your favourite moment in the winter break?
Wirtz: I know that exactly. It was in the final friendly against Copenhagen at the BayArena. The fans called out my name with the team line-up as I came onto the pitch. It was pretty loud and I had goosebumps and that really moved me. It's the moment I've most been looking for since March and the one that's driven me on since the start of my rehab. I can hardly wait to run onto the pitch at the BayArena in the first home game.
A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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