Bundesliga: Why I removed Boniface from Europa League squad – Leverkusen boss, Martinez

Bayer Leverkusen manager Carles Martinez has explained his determination to permission Nigerian striker Victor Boniface retired of the club’s UEFA Europa League squad.

He gave the mentation up of their Bundesliga lucifer against Union Berlin on Saturday afternoon.

Despite an awesome pre-season pursuing a disappointing indebtedness spell astatine Werder Bremen during the 2025/2026 season, the Nigeria planetary was not included successful the Europa League squad.

During his property league on Friday, Martinez explained that Boniface had not afloat recovered, adjacent though helium had shown signs of betterment during pre-season.

“Two months ago, erstwhile we began our preparations,” Martinez stated, arsenic reported by Kicker.

“This question was unexpected. He wasn’t ready; helium was experiencing pain, his genu was not successful bully condition, and physically, helium was importantly behind.”

Nevertheless, the manager noted that the Nigerian striker was recovering and expressed optimism that Boniface could regain his highest signifier successful the 2026/2027 season.