Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen bounced back from their first defeat in 35 Bundesliga matches with a resounding 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim on Saturday, thanks to a brace from Victor Boniface.
The win serves as a significant confidence boost for Xavi Alonso’s Leverkusen, who are set to begin their Champions League campaign next Tuesday in Rotterdam against Feyenoord.
French striker Martin Terrier scored his first Bundesliga goal to give Hoffenheim an early lead. However, Boniface soon danced past defenders to score Leverkusen’s equalizer, with Mergim Berisha briefly pulling Hoffenheim level.
Leverkusen took control as Florian Wirtz converted a penalty, followed by Boniface’s second goal. Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper, Oliver Baumann, making his 464th Bundesliga appearance to match German football legend Lothar Matthäus, made several crucial saves to keep the game competitive.
