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Ernest Victor
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Bayer Leverkusen’s manager, Xabi Alonso, has defended forward Victor Boniface following a heated exchange after his substitution during the team’s 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen on Saturday.
In the match, Victor Boniface made a significant impact by netting the opening goal. However, with just 20 minutes remaining, he was replaced by fellow striker Patrick Schick, a decision that sparked frustration in the 23-year-old Nigerian international. As he made his way to the bench, Boniface was seen engaging in a discussion with Alonso, indicating his disappointment over being taken off.
Despite the incident, Alonso expressed understanding of Boniface’s reaction, emphasizing that such emotions are a natural part of professional football.
“It’s completely normal for players to want to continue playing, especially when they feel they are contributing to the team,” he stated in an interview with Kicker. He acknowledged Boniface’s performance, noting, “He scored a goal and played well, but we needed to inject a bit more energy into the match.”
Alonso also took a moment to address concerns about Boniface’s fitness, especially in light of a recent car accident he had suffered. “Boni trained well on Friday, which informed our decision to have him start. It’s encouraging that he scored a goal, and I hope the aftermath of the car accident is now behind us so we can focus purely on his contribution to the game.”
This season, Victor Boniface has been in remarkable form, tallying eight goals and providing one assist in 11 appearances across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen, earning him a reputation as a crucial player for the club.
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