Bayer Leverkusen coach Xavi Alonso has admitted that Bayer Leverkusen are hard done over injuries to several key players including Nigeria International , Victor Boniface ahead of upcoming fixtures .
Leverkusen would this evening face-off against RB Salzburg in a Champions League home game and the Spaniard stressed that he needs all his players to compete in a packed schedule.
Alonso few days back confirmed that Boniface who has scored eight goals in 15 appearances in all competitions for the German Champions this season, will be sidelined for some time after picking up a thigh injury on international duty with Nigeria.
The 23-year-old Super Eagles striker missed Leverkusen’s 5-2 win over Heidenheim on Saturday and would also miss tonight’s tie against RB Salzburg.
“We will have to see how long he will be out. It is a shame,” Alonso said last Friday. “He has a thigh injury. For tomorrow, for Salzburg and maybe a bit longer. We will have to wait and see.
“It is too early to say but we hope he can still play this year. We have to see with the recovery and improvement but it is not a matter of six or eight weeks.”
Apart from Boniface, Leverkusen’s injury casualties include French striker Martin Terrier who fractured his right forearm minutes before their 5-2 win over Heidenheim as well as winger Jonas Hofmann who had been ruled out for the rest of the year due to a muscle injury in his left thigh, joining winger Amine Adli, and centre backs Nordi Mukiele and Jeanuel Belocian on the sidelines.
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“We need the whole squad but with six injured players, everyone is even more important. It’s intense to play every three days. A special situation in which we need every single player,” Alonso told reporters at his press conference yesterday.
Along with injury concerns, Leverkusen have struggled with form in the past weeks as they drew 1-1 with Brest and then lost 4-0 to Liverpool in Europe’s top competition.
Leverkusen, winners of the domestic double last season, are 13th in the Champions League standings and will face Salzburg who are 30th but Alonso said Pepijn Lijnders’ side cannot be taken lightly.
“We know how important the upcoming home games against Salzburg and Inter are. We expect a good opponent tomorrow, Salzburg plays with a lot of intensity and dynamism. We want to get these important points in the BayArena,” Alonso further said. “We need the energy from the fans. In difficult moments they can influence and push us.”
