‘It’s a serious matter’, Alonso on Boniface’s omission from UCL squad to face Brest

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has provided an update on striker Victor Boniface, following the player’s involvement in a car accident over the weekend.

Boniface has not traveled with the squad for their crucial Champions League match against French side Brest, who remain unbeaten in the competition.

Alonso confirmed that the 23-year-old is recovering well from minor injuries but stressed the need to prioritize his well-being.

“It’s a purely precautionary measure. He’s doing well physically, but we want to rest him,” Alonso said during his pre-match press conference.

“Following the accident, it’s primarily about Victor Boniface as a person and not as a player. It was a serious matter and a shock for the two of them and us all. They were lucky. Things like that can happen to anybody at any time. We’ll see how he is when we get back.”

Boniface, who scored the winning goal in Leverkusen’s 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a truck shortly after the match.

Despite suffering minor cuts to his foot and hand, Alonso reassured that his absence would be temporary.

In his absence, 17-year-old Francis Onyeka has been added to the squad. Onyeka, recently honored with the prestigious Fritz Walter medal, is set to gain valuable experience in the Champions League.

“We have great hopes for him, but we need to be patient,” Alonso remarked. “He’s come closer to the team with the last training sessions. I’m happy for him that he is able to gain Champions League experience,” he added, according to the club’s website.