Victor Boniface Storms Off As Leverkusen Dressing Room Drama Erupts After Mainz Win

Victor Boniface has attracted criticism following Bayer Leverkusen's dramatic 4-3 victory over Mainz after reportedly heading straight to the dressing room when it became clear he would not feature in Saturday's match.

According to Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the Nigerian striker left the substitutes' area following Carles Martínez's final changes in the 84th minute and did not return to the bench.

While Leverkusen celebrated an important away victory, Boniface's reaction created an unwelcome distraction, raising fresh questions about his situation under Martínez.

Boniface Leaves Bench After Final Substitutions

The incident occurred when Martínez introduced Ezequiel Fernández and Jonas Hofmann in place of Aleix García and Patrik Schick.

With all substitutions used, Boniface knew he would not be involved.

However, rather than returning to the bench alongside fellow unused substitutes Loïc Badé and Lucas Vázquez, the 25-year-old reportedly went directly to the dressing room and did not reappear.

Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger described the incident as a breach of team spirit, although Boniface has not publicly explained his decision.

Ex-captain Robert Andrich was asked about the situation after the match but declined to comment.

His response offered little indication of how the incident was received inside the dressing room.

Boniface Struggling For Opportunities

This comes at a difficult moment for Boniface, who has struggled for playing time under Martínez.

Ahead of the Mainz match, the Leverkusen coach acknowledged that the Nigerian remained an option but had not played much recently.

Martínez suggested Boniface could be considered if Schick needed a rest or had to be substituted.

However, when the Czech striker eventually departed in the 84th minute, it was Hofmann who entered the match instead.

That decision was particularly notable because Leverkusen are already without Christian Kofane, who faces several weeks on the sidelines with a thigh injury.

Despite the reduced competition for attacking minutes, Boniface was again left watching from the bench.

Schick's outstanding form has complicated his situation further. The Czech international scored against Mainz to become only the third Leverkusen player to find the net on each of the first five Bundesliga matchdays, following Dimitar Berbatov and Stefan Kießling.

With Schick producing consistently, Boniface faces a difficult task reclaiming a significant role in the starting lineup.

An Unwelcome Distraction For Martínez

Boniface's reported reaction leaves Martínez with a situation to manage during an already demanding period.

Die Werkself have now recorded consecutive Bundesliga victories after defeating RB Leipzig and Mainz, moving into fourth place with ten points.

Maintaining that momentum will require contributions from across the squad, particularly with domestic and European fixtures arriving in quick succession.

The Nigerian striker could still have an important role to play, especially while Kofane remains unavailable.

However, the incident in Mainz has shifted attention away from Leverkusen's impressive attacking performance and towards Boniface's frustration over his limited opportunities.

Whether Martínez addresses the matter internally remains unclear.

For now, Boniface's response to another afternoon on the bench has become an unexpected talking point following an otherwise successful weekend for Leverkusen.