Options before Leverkusen after Boniface’s injury

Admin I Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024

LEVERKUSEN – Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen may seek a replacement for their injured forward Victor Boniface during the current transfer window, coach Xabi Alonso said on Friday.

Boniface is out until April with a groin injury that required surgery, missing the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, and a number of Leverkusen games in all competitions.

“We are not under pressure to get a new player but we are always ready. If there is an option we will look at it. It has to make sense,” Alonso said ahead their Bundesliga restart on Saturday in Augsburg.

Patrik Schick is to take Boniface’s place after finally being fully fit from a long injury absence.
Leverkusen are also without several other players due to the African tournament, but Alonso said that “we were prepared for this situation” and “we know that we have a good squad.”

Leverkusen are unbeaten in their 25 games so far this season, a German record. They are in the German Cup quarter-finals, in the last 16 of the Europa League, and top the Bundesliga four points ahead of champions Bayern Munich, who have a game in hand.

“We have had a good energy at training. The tempo and level was good. We’ve used the break well,” Alonso said of the four-week winter break.

“Now it’s time to work, fight and go in with a good mentality so that we will be ready. We aim to play well for the final five months of the season.”