Leverkusen’s Boniface Has More to Offer, Says Manager Alonso
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso believes that Victor Boniface, the team’s leading marksman, still has untapped potential to unleash on the pitch. Boniface has made a significant impact since joining the club last summer, scoring crucial goals and establishing himself as a key player. His latest achievement came in the UEFA Champions League, where he scored the winning goal in Leverkusen’s 1-0 victory over AC Milan at the BayArena on Tuesday night. This was the 25-year-old’s first-ever goal in the competition.
Despite his impressive displays, Alonso has challenged Boniface to be more aggressive and take his game to the next level. The manager drew comparisons between Boniface and the legendary Didier Drogba, stating that Boniface has the qualities to be just as effective. However, Alonso emphasized that Boniface needs to develop his own unique qualities and style, rather than simply relying on his existing strengths.
"He has many qualities that can make him as strong as Drogba," Alonso said in an interview with Oma Sports. "Drogba was strong and created problems for defenders. He needs to create his own qualities. He is good with the ball in short spaces; he likes to be around the box. Sometimes he needs to be around the box, sometimes he needs to be more aggressive to attack the box, like today that he scored a goal that was disallowed."
Alonso acknowledged that Boniface is still developing and that it’s a process that requires patience and guidance. The manager and his coaching staff are working closely with Boniface to help him improve and take better decisions on the pitch. With his talent and potential, Boniface has the ability to become a top-class striker, and Alonso is confident that he will continue to grow and make a significant impact for Leverkusen.