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Leverkusen coach explains Boniface’s Europa League omission

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Bayer Leverkusen left Nigeria striker Victor Boniface out of its Europa League squad because he was not fully fit when the selection was made.
  • Coach Carles Martinez said Boniface’s knee has improved, although he still experiences occasional minor problems.
  • Martinez said the club hopes Boniface can return to full fitness in the coming months or by the end of the season.

Victor Boniface’s knee was still causing him pain when Bayer Leverkusen selected its UEFA Europa League squad, coach Carles Martinez said. The Nigerian striker was left out despite an impressive pre-season and will miss the club’s continental campaign.

Two months ago, when we started our preparations, this question was not to be expected. He wasn’t ready, he was in pain, his knee wasn’t doing so well, and physically he was very far behind.

· Carles MartinezThe Leverkusen coach explained why Boniface was omitted from the Europa League squad.

Martinez told Kicker that Boniface had been physically far behind when preparations began. “Two months ago, when we started our preparations, this question was not to be expected. He wasn’t ready, he was in pain, his knee wasn’t doing so well, and physically he was very far behind,” he said.

The coach said Boniface’s recovery has since improved. “But the good thing is that his knee is responding better. There are still occasional minor issues, but it’s much, much better. Because such a talent deserves a better year for him. And not just this year, but throughout his career.”

But the good thing is that his knee is responding better. There are still occasional minor issues, but it’s much, much better. Because such a talent deserves a better year for him. And not just this year, but throughout his career.

· Carles MartinezHe described Boniface’s improving recovery and expressed support for the striker.

Martinez expects to keep answering questions about the omission as Boniface works his way back. “I hope you can ask me the reason for this decision every week, because Boni is getting better and better. That would be best for him and the club,” he said.

I hope you can ask me the reason for this decision every week, because Boni is getting better and better. That would be best for him and the club.

· Carles MartinezMartinez said repeated questions would reflect Boniface’s continued improvement.

He added that Boniface remains on his mind when Leverkusen needs a goal and expressed hope that the striker can reach full fitness in the coming months or by the end of the season.

In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.

· Carles MartinezThe coach said he hoped Boniface would eventually return to full fitness.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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