Victor Boniface surprise return boosts Werder survival hopes

Victor Boniface has made a surprisingly early comeback at Werder Bremen, returning to team training just weeks after knee surgery for cartilage damage in January.

His recovery has progressed much faster than initially expected, offering Bremen a timely lift in their relegation fight.

Head coach Daniel Thioune confirmed on Maundy Thursday that the striker’s knee is stable again and that Boniface has told the club he wants to help the team in the battle to stay up. However, Thioune moved to cool expectations of an immediate appearance, stressing that the 25-year-old is not yet back at full Bundesliga fitness after his long layoff.

“In an intense game against Leipzig, where pressing is a key element, Victor would be the wrong player,” explained the coach, who also considers games with little possession, like the recent game against Dortmund, unsuitable for his use.

Werder has already started carefully reintegrating Boniface, using targeted transition drills and one‑on‑one duels in team training to test his sharpness. Thioune made clear: “He has the obligation to deliver if he wants playing time.”

In the crucial upcoming matches against direct rivals, Boniface is primarily planned as a late‑game impact option, especially in the box. If other forwards like Jovan Milošević and Justin Njinmah provide enough attacking threat and Werder pull clear early, the club will avoid taking unnecessary risks with his comeback.