Victor Boniface omitted from Leverkusen’s Europa League squad

Victor Boniface has been left out of Bayer Leverkusen’s Europa League squad as head coach Carles Martinez opts to manage his workload carefully.

The decision reflects ongoing concerns about the striker’s physical condition, particularly his recovery from a knee issue that limited his availability earlier in the summer.

Despite making progress in training and featuring late in Leverkusen’s 3-2 Bundesliga opener against SV 07 Elversberg, Martinez believes Boniface is not yet prepared to handle the demands of competing in three competitions simultaneously. The coach acknowledged that some might question the choice but stressed how much the situation has improved over recent weeks.

“I totally understand that one might make a different decision. If we had been asked this question two months ago, it would have been unthinkable,” Martinez explained. He noted that Boniface was not physically ready at that stage and struggled with his knee. “Two months later, Boni trains every day, improves, and is already very far along. But right now he is not ready to compete in three competitions.”

The exclusion from European fixtures is not seen as a long-term setback. Martinez expressed confidence that the 25-year-old can return to his best form step by step. “With his talent, he deserves for this year to be better for him, not just this season, but also the rest of his career,” he said.