Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen attacker, Nathan Tella, heaved a sigh of relief after finding the net against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, for the first time this season.
The England-born Nigerian winger was a squad player under Xabi Alonso last season but has seen his playing time reduce drastically this campaign.
Tella came on in the 61st minute in Bayer’s DFB Pokal clash against Bayern Munich, and got on the scoresheet eight minutes later, heading home from Alejandro Grimaldo’s cross to open his goalscoring account for the season.
Speaking after the game, the former Southampton man revealed Manuel Neuer’s 18th-minute red card gave Die Werkself an advantage in the game.
“We had a game plan, we knew they were going to press really high and press us with the ball and without, so we were able to execute that and I think it made the job a bit easier when the goalkeeper (Manuel Neuer) got sent off. We had to show a mature performance and thankfully we were able to win today,” the 25-year-old told ESPN after the game.
Additionally, Tella revealed he’d been frustrated by his continuous lack of playing time, and was relieved to get on the scoresheet last night.
“It’s good. It feels really nice, you know. I’ll be honest, it’s been really frustrating from the start of the season. I think every player wants to play as much as they can and I feel like I’ve been ready to play but I can’t argue with the coach as he knows what’s best for the team and he made the decision not to start me but to bring me on and it worked out pretty well today, so I’m happy.”
Despite his lack of playing time, Tella revealed his head coach, Xabi Alonso, has been supportive.
“He’s been saying keep going, keep being patient. Obviously, he knows it’s frustrating, as it is for every player who hasn’t started but he wanted me to just stay patient and that my time is going to come and thankfully, that’s today,” the former Burnley man concluded.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen are on course to win a consecutive League Cup title after defeating Bayern Munich.
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