Starting eleven debut for Werder
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In the 1-0 win against Union Berlin, Victor Boniface started for Werder Bremen for the first time. “It was also nice that he lasted so long. He put his foot down, presented himself well and put himself at the service of the team. A very good game,” said coach Horst Steffen about the loan from Leverkusen. It was his first appearance in the starting eleven since the beginning of April.
Recently, Boniface’s fitness level has been repeatedly criticized, which is why it has only been enough for short appearances in the Werder jersey. “It’s been a long time since I was in the starting line-up. I’m happy to be playing football again. I felt very good,” was the Nigerian’s conclusion. He only found his way to Bremen because AC Milan withdrew from his commitment after the medical check. On deadline day he was loaned to Weser from Bayer Leverkusen without a purchase option. In the latest Bundesliga update, his market value fell from 40 million to 20 million euros – making him the biggest loser.
In five previous games, Boniface had logged 106 minutes, and against Union he almost doubled his playing time. His working day wasn’t over until the 85th minute. He showed his class at times, acted well with his back to the goal and recorded five shots – he still has to wait for his first goal in the green and white uniform. Steffen was optimistic: “I can’t say how quickly it will happen that we say that this is the top Victor that we all know. He is on the way to his old strength and fitness.”
The fact that Boniface was allowed to start was also thanks to his teammates, who stood up for the attacker. “I listened. I had the idea after Heidenheim: Now the time has come, now he has to come. I then took one or two people on board. But the decision was that of the coaching team,” explained the Werder coach.