The introduction to Union’s draw in Leverkusen need not be long. Victor Boniface. Phenomenon. Mister Europe. Voila, that says it all.
At times you can hear at Union that Viktor Boniface is only twenty years old as a footballer instead of twenty-two, because he has ‘lost’ two years due to serious injuries. It only makes his performance more impressive: what a beast. Boniface was once again untenable against Leverkusen. The Germans were allowed to do whatever they wanted, it was all useless. Boniface was unstoppable even stumbling. And if he scores again… Boniface is European class.
Just to describe his sixth goal for Union in Europe this season. Teuma served the Nigerian on the left side of the box at the beginning of the second half. There was support, Boniface could have passed, but he decided to look for the far corner. It was millimeter work: 0-1.
Maybe we are missing historical perspective or we are overlooking someone, in which case we sincerely apologise, but we cannot remember a striker from a Belgian club in recent seasons who made such a mark in a European competition. As a reminder, Boniface was already impressive in the group stage and played cat-and-mouse games with the defenders of Union Berlin, the number three in the Bundesliga, in the previous round.
The Union players celebrate Boniface’s 0-1.
Photo: AFP
If you can still get tickets for a Union match in the coming weeks, we would advise you not to hesitate. After all, it is certain that Boniface will leave in the summer – the big leagues beckon. Boniface in action, come and see it (now).
Even before the break, Boniface could have been on the scoreboard, but then Leverkusen goalkeeper Hradecky managed to save. The keeper also received assistance from his crossbar twice and did not get into trouble with a shot from Vertessen. You understand: Union had opportunities.
Before you misjudge the opposition that Union had to parry: Leverkusen is really a great team with many qualities. Speed is one of them, not least with Diaby. The Unionists had some trouble with the Frenchman: he could have made it 1-0 before the break. Hincapie decided next.
Late downer
After the 0-1, the Germans emphatically went looking for the equalizer, which created a lot of space for the counter-attack. However, Union was unable to make optimal use of it. No shame, it was often a fight.
It is a pity that we have to tap it, but the 1-1 in the end was coming. The pressure from Leverkusen was simply too great. Leverkusen did not immediately poke after a played opportunity: Wirtz – man of 85 million euros – beat Moris from a distance (1-1).
The late downer does not alter the fact that Union as a collective was already at the appointment. There were many standouts. Teuma is right when he says that he is one of the best players in Belgium. But Lynen, Burgess, Nieuwkoop, Van der Heyden, … were also good. And Geraerts! Wizard. And that in his debut year.
Leverkusen remains the favorite to make it later – they are a very good team and could have won. But Union has everything to go to the semi-finals of the Europa League. Who would have said two years ago that that sentence would make the newspaper…
In the center of Union – Boniface’s pocket is bigger – the 2,300 Union fans who traveled along celebrated beforehand. Cafes almost immediately ran out of beer. The gas stations towards Brussels will have done golden business. This was another evening not soon to be forgotten.
Florian Wirtz scored the late equalizer for Leverkusen.
Photo: AFP
Coach Geraerts: “It will be a loaded return match”
Karel Geraerts was rightly proud of his players after Union’s 1-1 draw in Leverkusen. “It was a great evening for all of Belgian football. In any case, we can be satisfied. Leverkusen are a fantastic team, it was no coincidence that they had won their last seven games. We can go to the second leg with the necessary ambition. Van Der Heyden is then suspended, we will solve that. It will be a loaded duel, everyone dreams of that.” Union was strong as a collective, Victor Boniface was the star: “And say that he lost some duels in the first fifteen minutes. Boniface was strong again, he worked hard and scored a great goal.”
Leverkusen: Hradecky, Bakker, Tah, Tapsoba, Frimpong, Andrich, Palacios (46′ Demirbay), Hincapie, Diaby (87′ Hlozek), Adli (68′ Azmoun), Wirtz
Union: Moris, Kandouss, Burgess, Van der Heyden, Nieuwkoop, Lynen (80′ El Azzouzi), Teuma, Lazare, Lapoussin, Boniface (89′ Nilsson), Vertessen (75′ Puertas)
goals: 0-1 Boniface 51′ (Teuma), 1-1 Wirtz 83′ (Azmoun)
Yellow cards: Van der Heyden 25′, Hincapie 76′, Lapoussin 83′, Moris’
Spectators: 29.000
Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (6)
