Tag: Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso Gives Fitness Update On Victor Boniface

The manager of Bayer Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface will be available for their DFB-Pokal semi-final game against Düsseldorf at BayArena on Wednesday, April 3.

Victor Boniface has been struggling with an adductor injury since January. He had to undergo surgery to treat the injury.

Due to the injury, he withdrew from the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2023 AFCON squad. In his absence, the Nigerian team finished second in the tournament in Ivory Coast.

Also, the absence of Victor Boniface has not stopped Bayer Leverkusen from maintaining their unbeaten run in all competitions. They are the only club in the top five leagues in Europe who are yet to taste defeat this season.

Hence, the return of Boniface who has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 23 games in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen is seen as a big boost for an already vibrant side.

Ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s DFB-Pokal semi-final game against Düsseldorf, coach Xabi Alonso confirmed that Boniface has been training hard, and he is set to play his first game in 2024.

“We have no injured players. Everyone could be available for the squad,” Alonso told a press conference.

“Boniface could play a part of the game. He trained hard and came through it with a strong mentality. He can’t wait to be back on the pitch.”

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Xabi Alonso To Stay At Bayer Leverkusen For One More Season

Bayer Leverkusen coach, Xabi Alonso has reportedly informed Premier League club, Liverpool, and German Bundesliga club, Bayern Munich, that he is not planning to leave his current club ahead of next season.

Xabi Alonso is currently enjoying an unprecedented run at Bayer Leverkusen where he is currently topping the German Bundesliga table with 10 points above second-placed Bayern Munich.

The Spanish tactician is the only manager in the top four leagues in Europe that has not suffered a defeat this season.

Hence, he is wanted by his two former clubs, Bayern Munich and Liverpool who are expected to lose their current coaches, Thomas Tuchel, and Jurgen Klopp, respectively, at the end of this season.

Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, has claimed that Liverpool have bowed out of the race to appoint Xabi Alonso since Thursday, March 28, and Bayern Munich are expected to bow out today, March 29.

The transfer expert also said Alonso is expected to remain the head coach of Bayer Leverkusen until 2025 and there will be a release clause which will permit him to join another club at the end of next season.

“Liverpool, Bayern, and Real Madrid will keep following the development of Xabi Alonso in the future months”, the transfer expert added.

Also, the honorary president of Bayern Munich, Uli Hoeness had said it is almost impossible for Xabi Alonso to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of this season because the Spanish tactician would want to achieve more feats at the club.

“Alonso is more inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen given their current successes because he would not want to leave them behind”, he said as quoted by Daily Mail.

“Let’s say if he had two or three more years of success, it would probably be easier to get him out of there.”

“I personally, and we all, extremely appreciate Xabi Alonso, but you mustn’t forget that he is now training at a club that is currently in the process of becoming German champions.”

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