Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Bayer Leverkusen boss Carles Martinez says he will “speak to” Victor Boniface after the striker appeared to storm down the tunnel following an unused substitute appearance during the win over Mainz.
Leverkusen moved fourth in the Bundesliga table after holding on for a narrow 4-3 victory during a seven-goal thriller at MEWA Arena.
However, Boniface was once again restricted to a spectator role.
The Nigeria international hit double figures for goals across all competitions in his first two seasons with Leverkusen, but has only played five minutes this term.
Admin is going to get some well-earned rest now, enjoy the rest of your weekend, Lev! #M05B04 https://t.co/v6QHHxuqHw
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) October 10, 2026
When Martinez made his final two substitutions in the 84th minute against Mainz, Boniface headed straight down the tunnel rather than return to the bench.
“I didn’t notice it during the game,” the Leverkusen boss told Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger. “I don’t know anything about it. If that’s what happened, we’ll speak to him.
“I can understand that every player wants to help the team. At the same time, these decisions are part of football. At that moment, I decided to make those substitutions.”
“I don’t know, maybe he needed to go to the toilet,” added sporting managing director Simon Rolfes. “Perhaps he went into the dressing room a little too early. It won’t happen next time.”
After starting the season with a shock 3-2 loss to promoted Elversberg, Leverkusen are now unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga games (W3 D1).
Their 10 points at this stage of the season are two more than they had after five games in 2025-26. The last time they had more points at this stage was in their title-winning campaign (13 in 2023-24).
Leverkusen have also scored two or more goals in all seven of their competitive matches under Martinez.
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