Bayer Leverkusen are taking nothing for granted and have even trained penalties ahead of their German Cup semi-final against Fortuna Düsseldorf where top scorer Victor Boniface could make his long awaited comeback.
Coach Xabi Alonso said that Boniface would not start but could get some playing time in a return from a groin injury he sustained in early January.
"Boni is in the squad. I don't know how long he can play. Not for 90 minutes, 45 possibly also not but maybe 30. He has a strong mentality and can't wait to be back on the pitch," Alonso told reporters on Tuesday.
Boniface is Leverkusen's top scorer in the Bundesliga with 10 goals, and he has 16 from all competitions.
The 1993 Cup winners Leverkusen are unbeaten in their 39 season games across the Bundesliga, German Cup and Europa League, and the big Cup favourites as the only top flight team left.
Düsseldorf are third in the second tier and won the Cup in 1979 and 1980. The winner will either face second division Kaiserslautern or third tier Saarbrücken in the May 25 final in Berlin.
Alonso is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, like in the Bundesliga where they are 13 points clear at the top of the table with seven games left.
"Yes, we are the only Bundesliga team so that is easy to be classed as favorites. That doesn’t mean anything though. We want to deserve our chance to play in the final," he said.
"We are expecting a good opponent tomorrow. They are in really good form. It's a semi final for both teams and and a huge chance to play in the final. We will give our all to end up at the Final in Berlin.
"We are prepared for all scenarios, including the penalty shoot-out. But our aim is to decide the game in 90 minutes. We've done well so far, but we haven't won anything with the good performances so far."
