Victor Boniface: "We're still in the title race" | OneFootball

Victor Boniface on Bayer Leverkusen's title defence, playing with Florian Wirtz, his respect for Thomas Müller and more

Victor Boniface has told bundesliga.com that defending champions Bayer Leverkusen are "still in the title race", despite trailing Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich by eight points going into the final four matches of the 2024/25 season.

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bundesliga.com caught up with the Nigeria international striker ahead of a weekend that could spell the end for Leverkusen's fading title defence and crown Bayern champions once again...

bundesliga.com: Victor, I know footballers take every match as it comes, but let's look at the whole season. What have you made of it so far and what you managed as a team?

Victor Boniface: "It's been a good season. Compared to what we did last season, everybody's expecting us to do the same, and we tried. We gave everything, and we're still in the title race, no matter that there are only four games left. For me, it's been a good season, but we could have done better in some games like the DFB Cup. It's football but, in general, I think it's an okay season."

bundesliga.com: So what can you still achieve in these remaining matches?

Boniface: "Just to try to win every game and see how it goes."

Boniface has 11 goals to his name in all competitions this season. (PAU BARRENA)

bundesliga.com: Looking back further, it is now 20 months since you arrived at Leverkusen. Do you sometimes sit here and think about your journey so far and what you have achieved?

Boniface: "Of course. Even now, sometimes when I put on the Leverkusen jersey, I'm like 'wow'. We know how big this club is, and I feel blessed. So I’m really, really happy how my career is going. I want to improve and improve, and help the team in a better way."

bundesliga.com: It is fair to say you have made a strong impression in the Bundesliga, but how has the transition to German football challenged or elevated your game?

Boniface: "I would not say it has been easy. But at the same time, I would not say it has been hard because I think I came to the right team at the right time and the way they play suits the way I play. Last season, we were playing like two number 10s behind the striker, and everyone is able to move around. I’m the kind of player that played like this even when I was at Union [St. Gilloise]. This is the way I play. I’m not saying this just because we won the league, but the way the team plays suits me and it just went well for me."

bundesliga.com: How important is it for you to have fun when playing football?

Boniface: "It’s important for me. It makes me want to do more. Not just the fun part, but also during the bad times. I’m the type of guy that, even during those difficult times, I don’t really care. I just want to be happy. I just want to have fun. I just want to play games and try to help my team in every way. So I don’t really think a lot."

bundesliga.com: You seem like the type of guys who can still see the good in difficult periods...

Boniface: "Of course. In football, you learn. You win some, you lose some, you draw some and you also learn from your mistakes. And I think most of us, the players, will learn from what has happened this season to be a better team."

bundesliga.com: Talking of fun, what is enjoyable about playing with Florian Wirtz, especially as an offensive player like you?

Boniface: "As a striker like me, you feel happy every time on the pitch when you have a player like Flo behind you because, in a game, you have one or two chances coming from him. You just have to convert them. I knew Flo was that good before coming to Leverkusen. We played them with St. Gilloise in the UEFA Europa League. I knew nothing about Flo because I didn’t watch that many Leverkusen games as we were playing too. Before the game, a journalist came to me and said, are you looking forward to the game? I said yes. And he asked me, what do you think of Flo? I said, no disrespect, I don’t really watch Bundesliga. I don’t really know much of him. The guy then said to me, you’re going to know him in the game. When we played, I knew why the journalist asked me that question. We both had a good game because I scored, and he scored as well. He’s a fantastic player to watch and play with. I feel happy to have someone like this behind me. We have a really good connection on the pitch, and I really appreciate it."

bundesliga.com: And finally, I wanted to ask you about Thomas Müller, an icon of the Bundesliga who is leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season. What do you think of him having played against him these last two years?

Boniface: "I think he’s a great, great football player, and a great guy in general. After a game, sometimes he would come to me and told me I played well and to keep it up. For a player like him to say that - big respect. Outside of football, I see him as a funny individual like me as well, so I respect him."

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