Bundesliga 2024-25: Leverkusen striker Boniface back in the squad against Leipzig, says Alonso

Bundesliga 2024-25: Leverkusen striker Boniface back in the squad against Leipzig, says Alonso

Champion Bayer Leverkusen will have striker Victor Boniface back in the squad for Saturday’s Bundesliga match at RB Leipzig, coach Xabi Alonso said on Friday.

The Nigerian forward, who has scored six league goals, has been sidelined since November with a thigh muscle injury.

“Yes, he is in the squad,” Alonso told a press conference when asked whether Boniface could start on Saturday. His team will look to bounce back after Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid.

In the league, however, Leverkusen, last season’s domestic league and Cup winners, is enjoying a winning run and is in second place on 41 points, four behind leader Bayern Munich.

It has won its last eight league games to remain Bayern’s main title rival, with third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt a further five points behind on 36.

“I have always said Bundesliga is the most important competition for us,” Alonso said. “We are on a positive wave, and we want to stay on it, but it will be a tough game for us tomorrow playing away at Leipzig.”

Leipzig is fifth on 31 points.

The Spaniard also hinted Leverkusen could be active in the January transfer window after injuries to Jeanuel Belocian and Martin Terrier ended both players’ seasons.

“We have to be smart and take a smart decision,” Alonso said. “After two serious injuries, we have to be active.”