Xabi Alonso had something to say following Victor Boniface's on-pitch clash with teammate Emi Buendia
Bayer Leverkusen’s dominant 4-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt was overshadowed by a heated on-field altercation between Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface and teammate Emiliano Buendia.
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The fiery clash, which occurred in stoppage time, saw Boniface shove his Argentine teammate in frustration after a miscommunication inside the opposition box.
Boniface loses his cool as frustration boils over
Boniface, who has been struggling for minutes in recent weeks, was eager to make an impact when he finally got his chance late in the game.
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However, his frustration reached a breaking point when a goal-scoring opportunity went begging due to Buendia’s interference.
The altercation began when Buendia’s initial shot was mishandled, allowing Boniface to pounce on the rebound. But before he could take his shot, the Argentine midfielder got in the way while also trying to reach the rebound, causing the Nigerian striker to lash out in frustration.
Teammate Nordi Mukiele had to intervene to separate the two players, ensuring that the situation did not escalate further.
Alonso brushes off incident, stresses team unity
Despite the dramatic confrontation, Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso remained unfazed, choosing to downplay the situation and focus on the team’s overall performance.
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Speaking after the match, the Spanish manager reiterated that such emotional clashes are a normal part of football, saying, “I spoke with Boni. I don’t have all the details, but Boni wanted to shoot.
“It can happen. We don’t want to make something big out of something so small. We’re staying calm. On Monday, we’ll keep going again.”
With Leverkusen set to face Bayern Munich in a crucial Champions League clash, Alonso’s focus remains on keeping his squad united as they continue their impressive season.
Whether Boniface will return to regular playing time remains to be seen, but Alonso will need to manage his emotions carefully.