Nigerian winger Nathan Tella has voiced his frustration over limited playing opportunities at Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, despite delivering a match-winning performance in their DFB Pokal victory against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
Tella came off the bench in the 61st minute and wasted no time making an impact, heading home the decisive goal just eight minutes later. The strike secured a crucial 2-1 victory for Die Werkself and further showcased Tella’s knack for stepping up in key moments.
However, the former Burnley star has largely been relegated to a substitute role under head coach Xabi Alonso this season. Reflecting on his status, Tella expressed mixed emotions after the game.
“I’ll be honest, it’s been a really frustrating start to the season…but I can’t argue with the coach,” Tella said. “He knows what’s best for the team.”
Since joining Leverkusen, Tella has struggled to cement a starting spot in a squad brimming with talent, but his contributions in pivotal moments could give Alonso something to ponder as the season progresses.
Bayer Leverkusen remain contenders on multiple fronts, and Tella’s hunger for a larger role might be exactly what the team needs to maintain their edge in the Bundesliga and cup competitions.
