'He can do better' - Werder Bremen coach criticises Boniface after lacklustre display against Mainz

Werder Bremen striker Victor Boniface failed to impress in the club's 1-1 draw against Mainz on Saturday, leaving head coach Horst Steffen openly dissatisfied with the forward’s performance.

After a promising debut in the starting eleven against Union Berlin, where Boniface helped Bremen to a 1-0 win, hopes were high that the Nigerian international would continue his progression. 

However, against Mainz, both Boniface and the Bremen attacking unit struggled to make an impact. 

Boniface received a BILD rating of 5, reflecting a subdued performance across the 90 minutes.

The striker recorded no goals, no shots on target, and no assists, completing only 53 percent of his passes while registering just 28 touches. 

His limited involvement in the match highlighted the challenges Bremen faced in breaking down Mainz’s defense.

Steffen did not shy away from commenting on Boniface’s display. 

"He tried to hold onto the ball up front. Today I thought to myself: Come on, he can do even better,” the coach said, as quoted by Bild. 

Boniface has now made seven league appearances for Werder, totaling 255 minutes on the pitch. He has yet to score in the Bundesliga but has provided one assist.

This is not the first time Steffen has publicly criticized the striker. Following a 0-3 defeat to Freiburg on matchday 4, Steffen expressed concerns about Boniface’s positional discipline: "He was too ‘everywhere’ for me. He should definitely be more centrally located. It wasn’t how I wanted it.”

Boniface, who joined Werder on loan from Leverkusen without an option to buy, has struggled with injuries and is reportedly still carrying extra weight, affecting his pace and overall mobility on the field. 

Despite his technical ability, these physical factors have hindered his impact in matches so far.

Steffen remains realistic about the striker’s adaptation period. “He is still on his way, but it’s a long one,” the coach said, emphasizing that Boniface will need time to return to his top level.

As Werder continues to integrate the 24-year-old into their squad, both patience and improvement on Boniface’s part will be key to turning early promise into consistent performances.

Wale Adejumo

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