Boniface brace and the art of closing out a game with ease

Bayer Leverkusen is back on track after a commanding 4-1 away win against Hoffenheim. Following the defeat to Leipzig before the international break, one might have expected the Werkself to show some signs of wear and tear, but the opposite was true. Victor Boniface, now the team's reliable goal machine, delivered a masterclass with two goals and an assist, a performance that can only be described as "champion-like." You could almost say that Boniface has made scoring braces a lifestyle this season.

It became clear early on that Bayer was not going to let anything slip in this match. Martin Terrier, one of the new signings, opened the scoring after a nice assist from – who else – Boniface. The VAR had to intervene briefly to check for a possible offside, but the goal stood, and Bayer was on its way. The first half moved at a brisk pace, with Leverkusen controlling the game and allowing Hoffenheim only brief moments to shine. While Mergim Berisha managed to pull one back for the hosts, the Werkself never truly looked threatened.

In the second half, Bayer slowed the tempo slightly but still maintained control. When Florian Wirtz was brought down in the box and coolly converted the resulting penalty himself, Hoffenheim’s resistance was broken. Just three minutes later, Boniface added another goal, securing the 4-1 win and putting the game to bed. It was not only his second goal of the match but also a clear message that Bayer had fully subdued their opponents.

There were other positives besides the goal-scoring stars. New arrival Nordi Mukiele made his debut and handled his duties well in the final minutes. Terrier, who scored his first Bundesliga goal, is also finding his rhythm in the team. With this squad depth, Leverkusen looks primed to make waves this season. Xabi Alonso seems to have made the necessary adjustments after the Leipzig defeat, as his team looked focused, structured, and showed very few weaknesses, aside from a brief wobble before halftime.

Statistically, this victory in Sinsheim marks another milestone: The Werkself is now unbeaten in 19 Bundesliga away matches, an achievement impressive enough to earn a nod of approval even from Bayern Munich fans. It was also the first time Bayer has started a Bundesliga season with two consecutive away wins. Victor Boniface, meanwhile, is well on his way to becoming the face of Leverkusen’s attack in the weeks and months ahead – if he isn’t already. With his two goals and an assist in Sinsheim, he demonstrated just how dangerous he can be for opposing defenses.

The next challenges are just around the corner. On Thursday, Bayer faces Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Champions League, followed by a Bundesliga clash with VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday. One thing is clear: With a performance like the one against Hoffenheim, Bayer has nothing to fear in either Europe or the league. If Boniface and company continue playing at this level, this season could end up being a very special chapter in the club’s history. Leverkusen has made an impressive comeback – and this could be only the beginning.