Victor Boniface<\/a> was a surprise absentee from Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s squad on the final day of the Bundesliga season as Xabi Alonso\u2019s men were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw at Mainz, Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Nigerian<\/a> striker was ruled out just an hour before kick-off, with the club confirming that illness had sidelined him, as per Liga Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n It was a frustrating end to a campaign plagued by injuries for Boniface, who still managed to make an impact when fit. The 23-year-old featured in 19 league matches, starting 12, scoring eight goals and providing one assist.<\/p>\n His absence was particularly notable given the significance of the fixture. While Bayer Leverkusen<\/a> were already assured of finishing as runners-up behind champions Bayern Munich, Mainz were desperate for points in their pursuit of a Europa Conference League spot.<\/p>\n In the absence of Boniface, Alonso handed Patrik Schick the start up front, with fellow Nigerian Nathan Tella<\/a> deployed as a right wing-back. But the visitors were second-best in the first half as Mainz twice had goals ruled out by VAR before Paul Nebel finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute.<\/p>\n Tella was withdrawn at half-time, and Leverkusen came out firing after the break. Within ten minutes of the restart, Schick struck twice \u2013 first from the penalty spot, then with a clinical finish \u2013 to put the visitors in front.<\/p>\n READ MORE\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Mainz, however, responded just after the hour mark. Jonathan Burkardt converted from the spot to make it 2-2, despite Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky nearly getting a strong hand to the effort.<\/p>\n The match continued at a frenetic pace, and Mainz thought they had snatched a dramatic late winner deep into stoppage time when defender Stefan Bell bundled home. But VAR intervened again, ruling out the goal for a handball in the buildup, much to Leverkusen\u2019s relief.<\/p>\n For Alonso, it was a dramatic end to a memorable tenure at the BayArena. After guiding Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title last season, the Spaniard signed off with a second-place finish in 2024\/25, collecting 69 points \u2013 nine ahead of third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.<\/p>\n Mainz\u2019s draw, combined with Leipzig\u2019s 2-3 home defeat to Stuttgart, was enough to secure European football next season \u2013 a fitting reward for a strong finish to their campaign.<\/p>\n Boniface\u2019s late omission may have denied fans a final glimpse of the striker this season, but his influence was still felt across the campaign.<\/p>\n With Real Madrid-bound Alonso moving on, the Nigerian forward is also expected to leave Leverkusen this summer, with Newcastle United one of the club’s reportedly interested.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/imago1054361747-750x500.jpg\")
Boniface missed Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-goal thriller at Mainz in Alonso\u2019s last dance<\/h3>\n
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