Xabi Alonso has shed light on the decision to bench Victor Boniface during Bayer Leverkusen's recent draw against AS Roma.
Leverkusen's remarkable journey in the 2023/24 season persisted as they secured a 2-2 draw in the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals on May 9th, advancing to the final with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Despite their success, Nigerian forward Victor Boniface remained sidelined throughout both legs of the crucial tie. Boniface, who recently recovered from a prolonged injury absence that also saw him miss the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, has been a significant contributor this season with 19 goals and 10 assists across 30 appearances in all competitions.
Xabi Alonso, the manager of Bayer Leverkusen, disclosed that tactical considerations led to the decision to leave out Boniface, along with Patrick Schick, who has notched 11 goals this season. Alonso emphasized the importance of their diverse tactical approaches, opting for a lineup that prioritized defensive solidity and attacking prowess.
In reflecting on their victory over Roma in the first leg, Alonso reiterated the team's commitment to versatility, stating, "Fortunately, there are no injuries, we simply chose this XI with the hope it will go well for this game. We aim to play in a complete fashion, so there will be phases when we need to defend with sacrifice and others where we will attack."
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