Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso praised his team for managing to control the game with 10 men after they held on to beat Hoffenheim 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Bayer Leverkusen move onto 45 points, six behind leaders Bayern Munich after 20 matches, while Hoffenheim remain 15th, just four points above the drop zone

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said Victor Boniface will remain at the Bundesliga club, after the Nigerian striker was left out of their Champions League clash with Sparta Prague amid rumours of a move to Saudi Arabia.

Victor Boniface scored on his return as 10-man Bayer Leverkusen defeated lowly Hoffenheim 3-1 on Sunday to move within six points of leaders Bayern Munich. Nigerian forward Boniface, who had missed some three months due to injury and was the subject of recent transfer speculation,