Bundesliga
Great news for Schick, not so much for Hložek? German superstar returns to training after long injury
Patrik Schick has his place in Leverkusen’s lineup, but Adam Hložek is not so much. Therefore, both will perceive the news of the German super talent’s imminent return differently. Florian Wirtz is starting with a light training session.
Patrik Schick has his place in Leverkusen’s lineup, but Adam Hložek is not so much. Therefore, both will perceive the news of the German super talent’s imminent return differently. Florian Wirtz is starting with a light training session.
Schick can rejoice, the court passer is slowly returning
Patrik Schick was clearly Bayer Leverkusen’s top scorer last season. A big part of that was not only Moussa Diaby, but also Florian Wirtz, still only 19 years old, who has been a key footballer for his team for some time now.
However, Wirtz was seriously injured in March and it was not known whether he would even make it to the World Cup, which starts in November. But there is still hope. And now even more so. The offensive all-rounder is starting a light training session.
Nevertheless, it is expected that he could start to slowly enter the games only in September. So, finally, Wirtz will be back sooner than expected. And that means one thing. Adam Hložek has less time to impress.
Wirtz’s return doesn’t necessarily mean a problem for Hložek
Patrik Schick on the spearhead, Moussa Diaby is manning the right wing and Florian Wirtz is playing offensive midfield. Basically, the only position that Leverkusen don’t have perfectly manned is left wing.
Adam Hložek, meanwhile, plays best at the top or just below it. So Wirtz can potentially take his place. However, the German talent is also capable of playing well from the left wing. Potentially, we could see Schick on the wing and Wirtz, Hložek and Diaby below him from the left.
Either way, it is in the absence of Wirtz that Hložek has the best chance to prove himself. If he fails to do so, it could complicate his path into the lineup. Unless he settles for left wing, which won’t suit him nearly as well.
Fortunately, Leverkusen’s line-up is quite variable and the club’s management will not have excessive expectations from the native of Ivančice in Moravia. He will definitely be given time to adapt and will get his opportunity. That’s how it is in Bayer and it will be no different for the former Sparta star.
Source: Bayer 04 Leverkusen