Bayer Leverkusen's double blow as Jeanuel Belocian, Victor Boniface sidelined

The 19-year-old French talent suffered a tear in his right knee's anterior cruciate ligament during a friendly match against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. This injury, which occurred on Sunday, was officially announced by the club on Monday, marking a significant setback for both player and team.

Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen's sporting director, had high hopes for Belocian when he was signed from Stade Rennes for a fee of 15 million euros last summer. "Jeanuel is a signing with vision, he will give us a lot of pleasure in the coming years and has the potential to become an important player for Bayer 04," Rolfes had said.

Unfortunately, Belocian's participation has been limited to just nine appearances this season.

Adding to the woes at the BayArena, Nigerian striker Victor Boniface's return from injury has hit a snag. Boniface, who last featured in a 1-1 draw against VfL Bochum in November 2024, was anticipated to rejoin training early in the new year after nursing a hamstring injury.

However, Leverkusen have announced that Boniface experienced a minor setback, causing him to miss the friendly against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen.

The exact timeline for Boniface's full recovery remains uncertain. Before this injury, the 24-year-old had been a key player for Leverkusen, amassing eight goals in 15 appearances this season. 

His absence, coupled with Belocian's, leaves the team with significant gaps to fill in both defence and attack as they navigate through their league and cup commitments.

This double injury blow comes at a time when Leverkusen are looking to consolidate their position in the Bundesliga, making squad depth and player fitness crucial in their quest to defend their title.

The club will now look to other players to step up, as they face the challenge of maintaining their competitive edge without two of their promising talents.

As of now, no further updates on player injuries have been reported in the last 12 hours, leaving fans and the team to focus on rehabilitation and strategic adjustments for the upcoming matches.

READ MORE: Nuno Espirito Santo praises hard work after Forest victory