Alonso explains why Wirtz didn't start against Augsburg
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has revealed why Florian Wirtz started on the bench against Augsburg.
After starting two games in a row, Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz only played around 30 minutes in last night's 1-0 defeat against Augsburg, coming on from the bench in the second half.
In a post-match interview, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso explained that he wants to manage the 19-year-old's workload, as the youngster only just made his return from a cruciate ligament rupture.
"We decided with Florian that he can't play every minute after a ten-month injury layoff," Alonso told Bild after the 1-0 defeat.
"We have to control the load. He was there today and he will play in the next game."