Victor Boniface injury update explains limited minutes under Erik ten Hag
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Victor Boniface injury update is starting to draw more attention as Bayer Leverkusen’s preseason rolls on, and fans are wondering what’s really going on. The Nigerian striker, expected to be a key part of Erik ten Hag’s new-look attack, has only been getting scraps of playing time. In the latest friendlies, he was brought on in the 72nd and 77th minutes, far behind newcomers like Christian Kofane and even youth prospect Alejo Sarco. For those tracking performance trends this summer, our expert Bundesliga Predictions can help you make sense of these evolving lineups.
- Victor Boniface has played limited minutes in Bayer Leverkusen’s preseason so far
- Erik ten Hag has opted for younger strikers like Christian Kofane and Alejo Sarco
- Boniface’s struggles aren’t tactical but due to underlying fitness issues
- A full-strength Boniface-Schick strike duo may still be weeks away
It’s a surprising development or at least it looks that way on paper. After all, Boniface was one of Leverkusen’s top performers last season and seemed poised for a bigger role under ten Hag. The new manager had even floated the idea of pairing Boniface with Patrik Schick up top, something former boss Xabi Alonso hadn’t seriously tested. But so far? Not a single minute together on the pitch. Can he really turn things around before the Bundesliga kicks off?
The short answer: it’s complicated. According to Leverkusen’s brass, Boniface isn’t being sidelined for tactical reasons. Instead, it’s a physical issue. Club director Simon Rolfes has described it as ongoing “load management” with Boniface alternating between training and rest. The problem isn’t muscular, but it’s enough to hold him back from sustained match action. And while that might not sound like a red flag, it’s clearly keeping him from building chemistry with the squad during this crucial preparation phase.
This pattern started back in the Rio training camp, where Boniface frequently stepped out of full sessions. Despite working on his fitness during the offseason, something hasn’t clicked just yet. That’s a bold move, but maybe the right one, if ten Hag is playing the long game and waiting until Boniface is 100% ready. Still, the clock is ticking, and younger forwards are already stealing minutes and momentum. For now, it’s hard to say when Boniface will be fully match-fit or how patient the manager will be.
Until then, fans hoping for a high-powered Boniface-Schick partnership will need to wait. The talent’s there, no doubt. But until the Bundesliga Predictions start showing Boniface back in the XI, there’s reason to keep expectations tempered. Whether this is a minor preseason hiccup or something bigger remains to be seen, but Leverkusen can’t afford to gamble on a slow start.
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