Schick downplays Boniface rivalry

Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick has played down talks about his competition with Victor Boniface for a starting shirt at the German club, noting that they both push each other to perform better, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.

Schick arrived at Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 becoming the club’s first-choice at the front until he was displaced by Boniface, who was signed in the summer of 2023 after Schick sustained a long-term injury in 2022.

However, Boniface has had his fair share of injury worries with the Czech Republic international not missing the chance to lock down his place in the absence of the Nigerian.

Until Sunday, Boniface had missed 14 games across all competitions for the German Champions while Schick also scored 14 goals within that period.

The 24-year-old Nigerian returned to the starting lineup on Sunday with a goal in their 3-1 win over Hoffenheim, while Schick, who replaced him in the second half also got on the scorers’ sheet, fuelling more talk about their contributions to the team and potential partnership.

“We push each other. With the number of games we play, it’s impossible to rely on just one striker. I always focus on myself rather than looking left or right. In the end, it’s the coach who decides who plays, but Boniface is a very good player and helps the team a lot,” Schick said via omasports.com.

“Things in football change quickly. Last season, when I wasn’t playing, I wasn’t happy. But now that I am fit, injury-free, and getting enough playtime, scoring goals, of course, I have to be happy,” he said.

Boniface has registered 30 goals and 10 assists for Die Werkself in 50 appearances with manager Xabi Alonso backing him to become much more influential after overcoming a thigh injury and a failed transfer.

“I always have trust. It was an important moment for him after his injury. The situation last week was a bit strange, unpleasant,” Alonso said.

“It was important that he felt important again, felt the love of the fans, that’s important for the mind.”

The 23-year-old hitman started the season as the main man at Bayer Leverkusen, but he suffered an injury in late November. That opened the door for Schick to become the main striker.