Bayer Leverkusen head coach Carles Martinez has opened up on why Nigerian forward Victor Boniface was left out of the club’s Europa League squad, pointing to lingering fitness concerns despite a promising build-up to the season.

Speaking to reporters on Friday ahead of the Bundesliga trip to face Union Berlin, Martinez said Boniface’s exclusion came down to his body not yet being ready for the demands of European competition, even though the striker had shown encouraging signs during pre-season training.

The Nigeria international endured a difficult campaign last term, spending it out on loan at Werder Bremen, and had been hoped to hit the ground running back at Leverkusen.

However, Martinez revealed that when planning for the season began two months ago, Boniface was still struggling physically, dealing with knee discomfort that left him well off the pace compared to his teammates.

The Spanish coach did strike an optimistic tone regarding the striker’s recovery, noting a gradual improvement in his knee condition, even if occasional flare-ups persist.

Martinez was quick to praise Boniface’s ability, stressing that a player of his quality deserves a smoother run of fitness both this season and beyond.

Looking ahead, Martinez left the door open for Boniface’s return to continental action once he proves his readiness, admitting that the striker remains firmly on his mind whenever the team searches for a goal.

The manager expressed hope that within the coming months, Boniface could be declared fully fit, allowing him to contribute both domestically and in Europe as the season progresses.