Bayer Leverkusen coach hints at strike partner for 'strong and technically excellent' Boniface

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has hinted at pairing up Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick in attack.. 

Czech Republic international Schick's game time is being managed after the injury troubles that have plagued him over the past one year. 

In his comeback game, he came off the bench to double the advantage as the Bundesliga table-toppers defeated BK Hacken in Europa League action last Thursday, then in the next game, he provided a crucial assist for the important equalizer netted by Boniface in a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund. 

Alonso's preferred formation is 3-4-3, with Boniface playing centrally in attack, but he is considering tweaking his formation to accommodate the fit again Schick. 

Schick has yet to make his starting debut this season, with all his four appearances coming from the bench. 

"He had a good impact today, a lot of balls in the penalty area, good assist for Boniface," Alonso was quoted as saying by Sport1.

On paring Schick and Boniface in attack, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star said: "Certainly a possibility” . 

Bayer sports director Simon Rolfes added: "In the end, Boni and Patrik played together. That's definitely a variant because both are strong strikers.

"They are a little different in the way they create scoring opportunities, but both are also technically excellent. I'm really happy for Patrik."

Boniface is one of the first names on the team sheet, having started eighteen out of a possible 20 games since landing at Bayer Leverkusen from  Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer transfer window. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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