Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen attacker, Nathan Temitayo Tella, heaved a sigh of relief after finding the net against Bayern Munich last night, for the first time this season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The England-born Nigerian winger played a squad role under Xabi Alonso last season but has seen a significant drop in playing time this campaign.
Tella entered Bayer Leverkusen’s DFB Pokal clash against Bayern Munich in the 61st minute and made an instant impact, heading in Alejandro Grimaldo’s cross just eight minutes later to register his first goal of the season.
“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.”
“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 winning a consecutive League Cup title after defeating Bayern Munich.
