Xabi Alonso explains why Florian Wirtz didn’t start in Bayer Leverkusen’s win at Borussia Dortmund
Florian Wirtz is expected to start every match for Bayer Leverkusen these days, so his absence from their line-up in the opening game of 2025 away at Borussia Dortmund raised many eyebrows. There were no fitness concerns, and he came on in the second half, so what was the reason behind it?
Wirtz has been in scintillating form so far this season, contributing seven goals and seven assists across the first 15 games of the Bundesliga campaign prior to the restart. The 21-year-old had started all but two of those matches and even bagged a hat-trick of provisions in the final fixture of 2024 as Leverkusen beat Freiburg 5-1.
So, when the champions posted their starting XI on social media around an hour before Friday’s kick-off, it looked like business as usual when his name appeared on the list. However, that post was quickly taken down and replaced by another line-up where Wirtz – and Exequiel Palacios – dropped to the bench.
Speaking to broadcaster DAZN before kick-off, Alonso was somewhat coy on the news.
“Something unexpected happened this morning, but he’s not got any problems. It’s an internal matter. He’ll be on in the second half, no problem,” the Spaniard stated.
Managing director for sport Simon Rolfes was equally non-committal to camera when he said, “There was a little problem, but he can play in the second half.”
It was therefore clear that Wirtz was indeed fit, with rumours immediately swirling around that it was a disciplinary act against the playmaker and Palacios.
The 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Season and the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner did indeed get onto the pitch in the second half. Wirtz played the final half-hour of the 3-2 win at the Signal Iduna Park, while Palacios came on in the closing minutes.
Watch: Dortmund 2-3 Leverkusen – highlights
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It was only after the full-time whistle that Alonso finally revealed the real reason behind the surprising move.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, the Bundesliga-winning player and tactician stated: “When we met for training this morning, they’d spent ages sat in traffic on a bridge from Cologne. They missed our meeting and preparation and went straight to Dortmund.
“I wanted to have things clear. I know how important Flo is. It’s not a disciplinary thing but just for my own peace of mind.”
Aware of the significance of the game, the always meticulous Alonso clearly wasn't willing to risk players who hadn't received his full pre-match briefing.
It all worked out well in the end as a Nathan Tella strike after just 25 seconds and a first-half Patrik Schick brace earned the Werkself all three points as they continue their title defence in 2025. They will reach the midpoint of the campaign on Tuesday when they host Mainz – and players may leave home a bit earlier in case of traffic…
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