Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface was involved in a ugly spat with a team-mate during his side’s 4-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt yesterday.
Boniface was brought on as a second-half substitute but missed a golden chance to get on the scoresheet in the closing stages, leading him to shove Emiliano Buendia.
Frankfurt were unable to clear a cross into the box and Buendia snatched up the loose ball in search of a fifth goal, only to fail to connect properly with his effort.
He then looked to follow up again at the same time that Boniface tried to shoot.
The duo exchanged angry words and Boniface raised his index finger toward Buendia before pushing him. Tensions were only defused when team-mates stepped in.
Boniface hadn’t started any of Leverkusen’s last three games and has struggled for game time since a proposed winter move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia collapsed.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface shoved a team-mate during their win over Frankfurt
Boniface was furious after Emiliano Buendia got in his way as he looked to shoot late on
The frontman had to be pulled away from Buendia as the red mist descended
The ace was brought on in the 78th minute in place of Nathan Tella and with Leverkusen already leading 4-1, appeared determined to get in on the act.
Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, however, refused to criticise Boniface’s conduct.
‘He (Boniface) wanted to score a goal,’ said Alonso. ‘It’s not a problem. We’ll talk about it. The most important thing is the team, the performance and the result.’
Alonso also believes the red mist only descended due to the frontman’s ‘passion’.
Boniface’s goal drought was extended to just under a month, having last found the back of the net in the 3-2 victory over Koln in the DFB-Pokal on February 5.
He has made 20 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring 10 goals.
Leverkusen will now gear up for their Champions League last-16 first leg showdown with Bundesliga rivals – and table toppers – Bayern Munich.
Praising his side’s performance in Frankfurt, Alonso said: ‘I’m very happy, very proud.
The two players exchanged angry words before Boniface gave Buendia a slight shove
Xabi Alonso refused to criticise Boniface’s conduct, insisting the incident was ‘not a problem’
‘From the start, we showed we were fully focused, in every action, both with and without the ball. A complete performance with a great scoreline.
‘The perfect preparation for Wednesday night in the Champions League.’