SINSCHEIM, Germany, Sept 14 (Askume) – Champions Bayer Leverkusen benefited from a superb performance by Victor Boniface with two goals and one assist to beat Hoffenheim 4-1 on Saturday.
Rebounding from a loss to RB Leipzig before the international break, Leverkusen take on Feyenoord in their Champions League opener next week, their first home defeat in more than a season.
They took immediate control on Saturday and scored twice in the first half hour, with Boniface twice breaking the offside trap to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
The Nigerian player first passed the ball to Martin Tyrrell in the 17th minute and then scored a goal himself in the 30th minute.
Hoffenheim’s Mezim Berisha, playing for the first time since a knee injury in November, reduced the deficit in the 37th minute and had a second chance soon after.
However, Leverkusen did not lose control of the game and restored their two-goal lead through Florian Wirtz’s penalty in the 72nd minute.
Boniface then made a powerful run down the left, single-handedly destroyed the Hoffenheim defence and scored past goalkeeper Oliver Baumann in the 75th minute to move up to sixth place with four points.
Dortmund lead the way with seven points, while Bayern Munich travel to Kiel Holstein on Saturday with six points.
