Bayer Leverkusen host AC Milan in the Champions League on Oct 1, hoping for a sparkling performance from star midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Still just 21, Wirtz will make his home debut in the competition, having missed Leverkusen's 2022-23 Champions League campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
That he will do so against seven-time champions Milan feels appropriate for a player tipped for a long career on the European stage.
Leverkusen have a squad deep in quality and Xabi Alonso's coaching has been praised, but Wirtz is central to everything the team do.
Known primarily for his midfield creativity, he is also a goal threat. He has four goals in five league games this season.
In a team featuring Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface, Patrik Schick, Alex Grimaldo and Exequiel Palacios, Wirtz is trusted enough to be Leverkusen's designated penalty taker.
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