Boniface not at 100 percent yet, says Werder boss

When will Victor Boniface make his first start for Werder Bremen? According to the club’s head of first team football, Peter Niemeyer, the striker still has some way to go to reach full fitness.

Victor Boniface came off the bench to make his Werder Bremen debut in last week’s 4-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The Bayer Leverkusen loanee marked his first appearance with an assist, raising the question of when he’ll make his first start for the Green-Whites.

Werder’s head of first-team football, Peter Niemeyer, was impressed with the striker’s impact, but stresses that Boniface is still working his way back to full fitness.

“Victor isn’t at 100 percent yet,” Niemeyer told Kicker, noting that he can also be a useful option off the bench. 

“In just 20 minutes against Gladbach you could already see his quality.”

Speaking in a separate interview with Deichstube, Niemeyer said:

“He will gain more and more fitness in the coming days and weeks, but we’re already satisfied with his current level. 

“If he continues to come off the bench for now, but has an impact like in Gladbach, then he already brings great value to us.”

Marco Grüll is expected to lead the line for Werder again against Freiburg on Saturday, while Boniface may have to wait a bit longer for his first start.