Be more aggressive like Drogba, Leverkusen coach Alonso tells Super Eagles striker

• Victor Boniface scores Leverkusen’s 1-0 win with a 51st-minute strike
• Milan’s two penalty appeals, involving Abraham and Loftus-Cheek, were denied
• Boniface has scored three goals and assisted one in seven matches this season

Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface proved important as he scored a decisive goal early in the second half, rebounding after an almost saved effort by AC Milan’s goalie. Despite an improved second-half showing, AC Milan couldn’t find an equaliser. 

The Italian side's frustrations were compounded by two rejected penalty appeals, the first involving Tammy Abraham’s fall inside the box and the second, a potential stamp on Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the closing minutes. 

Yet, neither incident resulted in a penalty, leaving Milan with back-to-back defeats in Europe, languishing near the bottom of the 'big league' standings.

Paulo Fonseca was expected to make tactical adjustments for Milan. Although there were talks of Strahinja Pavlovic and Davide Calabria joining the lineup, however, the only change fans saw was Ruben Loftus-Cheek stepping in for the injured Alvaro Morata.

In the aftermath of the thrilling 1-0 victory, Bayer Leverkusen’s manager, Xabi Alonso, praised Boniface’s performance and likened him to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. 

“He had great chances, especially against Emerson in the first half. We help him a lot, and in the end, he scored and did an excellent job,” Alonso said.

Alonso believes Boniface has the potential to reach the elite level Drogba once occupied, 

“Do I want Boniface closer to the goal, like Drogba? He has many qualities that can bring him closer to that level. Sometimes he needs to be more aggressive in attacking the goal, and that’s a process where we need to help him,” he said.

Boniface reiterated Alonso’s sentiments, acknowledging that the coach has been urging him to study Drogba’s style closely. 

“He tells me to watch Drogba, before the last game, which we won 4-3, he told me to be strong, to be in the box, to play like Drogba.”

The 23-year-old Super Eagles forward has already scored three goals and provided one assist in seven appearances across all competitions this season. 

This important win takes Boniface’s Bayer Leverkusen side to third place in the newly revamped Champions League standings. 

Popular Chelsea defender reportedly eyeing Super Eagles switch

Previously, TheRadar reported that as whispers grow louder about Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo potentially switching his international allegiance from England to Nigeria, interim Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen has spoken out. 

The 27-year-old defender, born in England to Nigerian parents, has represented England at youth levels but is yet to break into Gareth Southgate’s senior squad. With his omission from the Euros squad, Adarabioyo may be reconsidering his options, making the switch to Nigeria seem increasingly likely.