Bayer Leverkusen coach, Xabi Alonso has declined to disclose his starting striker as the Bundesliga champions prepare for their season opener this evening.
This game is a start of another season and Alonso is yet to make his choice on the strikers and goalkeepers situation.
Boniface vs. Schick: A Tough Decision
Leverkusen main striker last season was Victor Boniface, he was consistent in front of the goal netting 21 with a further ten assists in 34 matches.
Likewise, Czech striker Patrick Schick has 13 goals and three assists in 33 appearances for the DFL Super Cup winners.
Both players also found the back of the net during Leverkusen’s Super Cup victory over Stuttgart, despite being reduced to ten men after Martin Terrier’s first-half red card.
In his pre-match conference, Alonso admitted, “The decision of who starts remains open, but you will see tonight. It is also not decided who starts for the whole season. Both are ready. Between Lukas [Hradecky] or Matej [Kovar]? It is the same. We’ll see what happens.”
Caution Ahead of the New Season
Alonso also warned his team that last season’s success does not guarantee anything as they embark on the new campaign.
“As with any team, it is common to begin with zero points and as for the previous season’s success, it does not provide any points to the following one, one has to start earning the points and it takes significant efforts to do so.”
Boniface Reaction To His Fine
As reported previously by Sportsbuddy, Victor Boniface has reacted to a one-match ban and a €25,000 fine he got for his unsportsmanlike behavior during Bayer Leverkusen’s previous Super Cup game against VfB Stuttgart.
He wrote via his social media handle, “If you bill me for the next three months I fit block you. Let’s all be guided. ”
