- Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella remains hopeful of a Bundesliga title defense despite an eight-point gap behind Bayern Munich
- Leverkusen, currently second with 53 points, must rely on Bayern dropping points to stay in the title race
- Notably, Tella has gained more minutes in the squad after struggling for game time earlier in the season
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Nathan Tella remains upbeat about his team’s chances of defending their Bundesliga crown, despite trailing Bayern Munich by eight points with ten games left in the season.
Leverkusen, the reigning champions, have accumulated 53 points, while Bayern lead the standings with 61 points.
Tella, who played a crucial role in Leverkusen’s historic title win last season, believes the battle for the Bundesliga trophy is far from over. The Nigerian international remains optimistic that his side can bridge the gap if they maintain their winning form and Bayern falter in the final stretch of the campaign.
Leverkusen’s title defence has been challenging, and their recent 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich on February 15 did not help matters.
However, they bounced back with victories over Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart, keeping their hopes alive. While their win against Frankfurt was dominant, their encounter with Stuttgart was more intense, as defensive lapses proved costly for their opponents.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s run of form will see more tests, with upcoming fixtures against Union Berlin, St. Pauli, and Augsburg.
Leverkusen will need to capitalise on any slip-ups by the league leaders while ensuring they maintain perfection in their matches, including a must-win game against Werder Bremen.
Apart from the Bundesliga, both Leverkusen and Bayern have another major test ahead. The two sides will lock horns in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, adding more intensity to their already fierce rivalry.
Super Eagles Nathan Tella acknowledged the importance of the fixture, stating,
“Everyone is looking forward to it.”
Nathan Tella’s new role at Leverkusen
Tella’s journey this season has seen him grow into an important figure within Xabi Alonso’s setup.
Initially struggling for game time, he has now become a vital asset. Speaking about his development, he remarked,
“I’m happy about all the games I get to play. At the beginning of the season, I didn’t play much, and now I’m getting more minutes in the team. I’m happy with myself and that the team is getting good results.”
His versatility has been key, with Alonso deploying him in different roles. Tella acknowledged that while some may find his positioning surprising, his coach understands his strengths,
“Maybe on the outside looking in it’s a surprise, but the coach knows and has reasons why I’m playing in this position. He trusts me to go out and do a job.”
With Leverkusen still competing on multiple fronts, squad depth will be essential in the final weeks of the season.
Tella stated the importance of every player contributing, regardless of their playing time,
“We know we’ve got a big squad. We know he can only play 11 players, he can only make five substitutions. The coach has told all of us, we have a lot of games, we’re in every competition.”
Leverkusen’s competitive training environment has kept the squad sharp, with players pushing each other to improve,
“Everyone, if they’ve not been playing or are starting, tries to increase the level. It has made us a better team,” Tella noted.
Boniface hits milestone on Instagram but faces heartache in love
Previously, TheRadar reported that Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface experienced a bittersweet start to the year, celebrating a significant milestone on Instagram while dealing with the end of his four-year relationship with Norwegian influencer Rikke Hermine Jensen.
The couple’s breakup became evident after they unfollowed each other on social media, with Jensen removing almost all her Instagram posts.
