Striker Victor Boniface celebrated his comeback in the 4-0 win in the cup semi-final against Düsseldorf. Bayer coach Xabi Alonso is full of praise – and is happy about being spoiled for choice.
Bayer Leverkusen missed his power: Victor Boniface (Wed.) prevailed against three Düsseldorf players. IMAGO/Steinbrenner
In the end, three Düsseldorf players stood around him, but none of them could separate him from the ball. Victor Boniface fueled his way through, tunneled past Fortuna’s Joshua Quarshie, and Bayer’s attacker almost had at least one assist in his record booklet – but colleague Jeremie Frimpong couldn’t get the ball bouncing in his direction past goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier, who reacted strongly. Missed the chance.
Afterwards, Boniface could be seen complaining violently for a short time because he would have preferred to receive a cross pass from Frimpong so that he could push himself into the half-empty Düsseldorf goal. His anger, however, quickly faded away. He left almost as quickly as he came in this 84th minute.
Xabi Alonso praises Boniface’s work ethic
Ultimately, two things were learned on Wednesday evening that were much more important than this missed fifth goal: Firstly, the Werkself won 4-0 against the second division team, confidently reached the cup final and at the end of May had a great chance of winning the DFB Cup for the second time since 1993 to win. Secondly, Boniface made his long-awaited comeback after undergoing adductor surgery in January and being sidelined ever since.
“He worked very hard to be back on the pitch,” reported coach Xabi Alonso after the 23-year-old’s successful return. Boniface, who last played in the 4-0 win against Bochum on December 20, 2023, “couldn’t wait to be back on the pitch with the team”.
Bayer striker Boniface has special skills
Against Düsseldorf he came on as a substitute for Patrik Schick after 65 minutes, collected 15 touches of the ball – and at least had two assists on goal, with the scene described above exactly illustrating why Bayer had been eagerly waiting for him. Because no other attacker in the Werkself squad has this power, this assertiveness and this class in one-on-one situations, which he was at least able to hint at before Frimpong’s missed shot.
Not Schick, who has been on the rise recently. Not winter loanee Borja Iglesias, who is still waiting for his first goal. Boniface, Leverkusen’s top goalscorer with 16 competitive goals, is, if you will, unique. And thanks to his special skills, he could become a very important factor in the final spurt of the season.
Xabi Alonso is happy about being spoiled for choice
“We need him, he’s a top striker,” explained Xabi Alonso and explained that with Schick, Borja Iglesias and the returning Boniface, they now have three center forward options. “For me,” said Bayer’s coach, “they will be tough decisions, but it’s better this way.” Especially since the Werkself are not only striving for the championship trophy and the cup, but also want to pull off a big coup in the Europa League.
In any case, Boniface should now get more playing time little by little. Against Fortuna, Xabi Alonso trusted him with around half an hour, and at Union on Saturday, Leverkusen’s Sturmtank will certainly get the next few minutes of action. The beginning has been made, the next steps should now follow.
2024-04-04 16:36:46
#Unique #Boniface #Bayer #return
