Xabi Alonso hails returning Victor Boniface in Leverkusen triumph

The Nigerian striker, back in the first XI for the first time since February, wasted no time proving his worth, and head coach Xabi Alonso couldn't hide his delight.

"Boniface is hitting top form again. He's ready to start matches now," Alonso said during a press conference ahead of Leverkusen's DFB-Pokal semi-final clash with Arminia Bielefeld, set for Tuesday.

The former midfield maestro has been impressed by the 24-year-old's resurgence after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

What caught the eye against Bochum was Boniface teaming up with Patrik Schick in a dynamic front two, a rare sight for Leverkusen fans.

Alonso has typically opted for one or the other, but this pairing sparked something special. "Boni can play up top or out wide. He showed that against Stuttgart and Bochum," Alonso explained. "They're versatile, they can play together or solo."

Boniface's goal and growing chemistry with Schick have given Leverkusen a fresh attacking edge as they chase more silverware. The Bundesliga champions are clicking into gear at the perfect time.

Meanwhile, there's change brewing at Leverkusen. Reports from Sport Bild indicate Jonas Hofmann and the club have agreed to part ways this summer. The attacking midfielder, a key figure in last season's historic double, has faded from the spotlight this term. With just 12 appearances and 540 minutes across all competitions, Hofmann has barely featured since January.

His agent, Marco Gutfleisch, is already on the hunt for a new club for the 32-year-old, who joined from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2023 for a reported fee of 10 million euros. Leverkusen's managing director for sport, Simon Rolfes, and Gutfleisch reportedly sealed the decision during a meeting last Friday.

On X, Bayer Leverkusen posted an update after the Bochum win, with Alonso praising the squad's depth: "Great to see players stepping up, Boniface and Schick showed their quality."

Leverkusen are rolling, and with Boniface firing, they're a force to be reckoned with. 

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