Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has revealed that despite Victor Boniface’s return from injury, the striker is not yet ready to start games.
Boniface made his much-awaited return in Wednesday’s empathic victory against Fortuna Dusseldorf in the semi-final of the DFB Pokal at the Bay Arena.
The 23-year-old was introduced in the second half when he replaced Patrik Schick and played the final 25 minutes of the game on his first outing since January. Boniface spent three months on the sidelines following an abductor injury he suffered in the build-up to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in Ivory Coast.
However, his recovery has so far gone according to plan, with the former Union SG forward back to full fitness after playing a part in Leverkusen’s 4-0 win over Dusseldorf as they booked their place in the final of the German Cup.
Alonso in no rush to start Boniface in games
Although Boniface did not affect the game much, as Leverkusen were already holding a healthy 4-0 lead before he stepped on the pitch, he still showed flashes of his brilliance.
The striker might not have marked his return with a goal, but he had 15 touches, completed one successful dribble, had a 100% passing accuracy with his 10 attempts, won three ground duels and made two key passes in the 25 minutes that he spent on the pitch.
Boniface’s cameo appearance has since raised hopes among some Leverkusen fans that the striker could be in line for a start in Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against Union Berlin. However, addressing journalists, Alonso said the striker wasn’t ready to start yet.
“His outing against Düsseldorf was good for him, but he won’t be able to start yet. We want to help him bit by bit to get that good feeling on the pitch again,” the Leverkusen boss said, as quoted by Get German Football News.
He added, as per Supersport: “He could start, but we've decided not to play him from the beginning. It was good for him to play 25 or so minutes on Wednesday. We want to help him to come back properly and to feel good. We need him.”
Boniface faces stiff competition from Schick for starting berth
Boniface was an undisputed starter in the Leverkusen team and was probably the team’s best player before suffering the injury that ruled him out for three months.
In his absence, the club has continued their fine form by extending their unbeaten run to 40 matches as they chase the treble of Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and UEFA Europa League.
Alonso’s side only need three wins from their remaining seven league matches to be crowned champions. They are also favourites to win the German Cup, where they’ll be facing Kaiserslautern in the final on May 25.
While Boniface’s goals in the first half of the season were key for Leverkusen, Patrik Schick has proven to be an equally viable replacement during the Nigerian’s time on the sidelines.
The Czech Republic forward has been in imperious form since being trusted by Alonso as the team’s main striker, scoring 11 goals in all competitions this season, including five in five games in the Europa League.
Boniface still remains Leverkusen’s top scorer, having found the back of the net 16 times before his injury, but Schick’s consistent run of form might prevent the 23-year-old from walking straight back into the starting line-up.
Also, the fact that Boniface has just returned from a long injury layoff and is now regaining match fitness means Schick could be afforded an extended run as a starter, and should he keep on performing and scoring, it will be difficult for Alonso to drop him for Boniface. The Leverkusen manager certainly has some big decisions to make in the coming weeks.
