Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface (23) will be available for Wednesday’s German Cup semi-final against Fortuna Düsseldorf after a three-month absence due to a groin injury. For Xabi Alonso’s ward (42), this is great news before the end of an excellent season so far. The Nigerian forward has scored 10 league goals so far this season and is the team’s top scorer.
Boniface has been out of Leverkusen since January when he injured a hamstring in his groin in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations. The gap he created was filled by Patrik Schick, who scored five goals in the new calendar year.
“We are in a great situation. We have no injuries and we have a complete squad,” Bayer coach Xabi Alonso enjoyed himself at the press conference. “Boni (Boniface) is finally back in the team too.”
However, the offensive driver of the West German team is not yet in a situation where he could play a full portion of minutes. “It’s certainly not for the whole match yet. Probably not even for half time. But he should be able to handle thirty minutes at full load.” Alonso zoomed in.
Boniface did not play a single competitive minute in 2024. That is why he is impatiently looking forward to returning to the field. “He can’t wait for him to come back. The recovery after the surgery went great and the return to training also worked out for him. Victor has a strong will. That’s why I believe that he will do well when he returns to the field.” Alonso said.
Boniface has a big part in Leverkusen’s great start to the season. Before the injury, he scored 16 goals across competitions and significantly helped Bayer to invincibility in the Bundesliga, Europa League and German Cup.
Bayer continues its great performances even after New Year’s Eve and is on the best way to its first ever Bundesliga title. Seven rounds before the end of the season, Bayern has a lead of 13 points. Thanks to a 39-game unbeaten run, they are still hoping for a trophy even on the European stage, where they will face West Ham in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
“We’ll go game by game. We’ve done it that way so far and I don’t see any reason to change it,” said Alonso, who confirmed last week that he will stay at Leverkusen despite interest from Europe’s big clubs.
“We’ve come a long way, but we haven’t won anything yet. We still have a lot of work to do. We’ve had a great two-thirds of the season, but we shouldn’t talk about possible successes prematurely. We have to stay focused,” reports the Spanish coach before the semi-finals of the Cup.
In the case of progress through Düsseldorf, Leverkusen would be waiting for another opponent from a lower league. In the second semi-final, third division Saarbrucken will meet second division Kaiserslautern already on Tuesday.
Tags: competitor returns Schick Boniface injury semifinals cup
