Florian Wirtz is back but Leverkusen struggles in draw against Union Berlin

In Germany, Bayer Leverkusen faced Union Berlin in a crucial Bundesliga match on April 12, 2025. The team welcomed back star player Florian Wirtz, who had been sidelined for five weeks due to an ankle injury. Despite his presence, Leverkusen couldn't secure a win, and the match ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw, dropping valuable points in the title race. This result allowed Bayern Munich to extend their lead at the top to eight points, enhancing their position in the competition for the Bundesliga title. Florian Wirtz's return was anticipated to significantly impact the team's performance, as coach Xabi Alonso acknowledged the importance of the 21-year-old midfielder to their attacking play. Wirtz had been instrumental in Leverkusen's success, contributing to an unbeaten league and cup double last season, with nine goals and twelve assists in the league alone. His absence had been felt keenly, especially during the Champions League and DFB-Pokal campaigns, leading to speculation about his future as Bayer Leverkusen had failed to secure contract talks. It was noted that Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Real Madrid were expressing interests regarding his next move. In the match against Union Berlin, Wirtz was substituted in during the second half and had an immediate impact, creating scoring opportunities which, unfortunately, did not translate into goals. The team’s inability to capitalize against Union Berlin was encapsulated in the words of goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who expressed disappointment at dropping points at home, highlighting a pattern of struggles in converting home advantage into wins. With only five matches left in the Bundesliga season, Leverkusen’s aspirations for the title became increasingly complex, especially trailing Bayern Munich. The title race has heated up in recent weeks, with Bayern set to face Borussia Dortmund in the late stages of the weekend, knowing a win against their rivals would increase the gap at the top of the table. The Bundesliga landscape is competitive, and while Leverkusen has shown potential, the ongoing struggles at home may hinder their ability to reclaim the title. The situation emphasizes the challenges faced by Leverkusen, necessitating a strong finish in the remaining matches to keep their title hopes alive.