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Bayer Leverkusen have now scored 10 goals in their last two matches without Nigeria's Victor Boniface.
Bayer Leverkusen continued their impressive form in the UEFA Champions League, dismantling Pepijn Lijnders’ RB Salzburg with a commanding 5-0 victory at home on Tuesday night.
Remarkably, this dominant performance came without the services of Nigerian striker Victor Boniface, who has been a key player for the team this season.
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05:48 - 22.11.2024
'He has 10 banks' - Nigerian duo Osimhen and Boniface continue bromance
The bond between Super Eagles strikers Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface seems to be getting stronger.
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14:34 - 15.11.2024
Boniface to lose manager as Xabi Alonso plans Leverkusen exit with Real Madrid next destination
According to reports, Super Eagles star Victor Boniface is set to lose manager as Xabi Alonso is expected to depart Bayer Leverkusen after the end of the 2024–25 campaign.
The match showed Leverkusen's attacking prowess, with Florian Wirtz stealing the spotlight by scoring twice and providing an assist.
Wirtz opened the scoring early in the eighth minute with a penalty after Salzburg's Samson Baidoo was penalised for handball.
Just three minutes later, Alejandro Grimaldo doubled the lead with a stunning free kick that left Salzburg's goalkeeper Alexander Schlager helpless.
Wirtz struck again in the 30th minute, collecting a pass from Grimaldo and skillfully manoeuvring past two defenders before slotting the ball into the far corner.
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This goal was his fifth in five Champions League appearances, further highlighting his status as one of Europe's most promising talents.
Patrik Schick, who had recently made headlines with a hattrick against Heidenheim in the Bundesliga, added to the scoreline in the 61st minute.
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He tapped in from close range after receiving a perfectly placed cross from Jeremie Frimpong before summer signing Aleix Garcia rounded off the scoring in the 72nd minute, converting another assist from Wirtz to complete an emphatic win.
Despite missing Boniface, who has been instrumental in Leverkusen's attack this season, the team displayed remarkable depth and cohesion.
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The victory not only signalled their return to winning ways after a disappointing stretch but also moved them up to 10 points in their Champions League group standings.
Head coach Xabi Alonso expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, noting their ability to create numerous chances and maintain intensity throughout the match.
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"We are very happy with the game and the result,” Alonso said. “We played well against the ball right from the start. The atmosphere in the stadium was good right from the start, too. So we had a good night"
Leverkusen will now face Inter Milan next in the competition, with Alonso looking to build on this momentum.
With players like Wirtz and Schick leading the charge, Leverkusen remain a formidable force on the pitch, demonstrating that they can thrive even when key players are absent.
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