Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand has played up the versatility of Super Eagles star Nathan Tella ahead of their DFB Pokal round of sixteen game against Borussia Dortmund, Soccernet.ng reports.
Die Werkself secured victories in four of their last five games, including a 2-0 win against Manchester City at the Etihad in the UEFA Champions League.
However, Leverkusen’s winning run came to an end last weekend as they lost to Borussia Dortmund at the Bay Arena.
Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
Hjulmand lauds Tella’s versatility
In a surprising turn of events, Leverkusen will take on Nico Kovac’s Dortmund in consecutive games, although across different competitions.
Tella suffered a knee injury against Frankfurt back in September and is only nearing full fitness after more than two months out of action.
The former Southampton winger has come off the bench in Leverkusen’s games against VfL Wolfsburg, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund, but it appears he’s set for a vital role at the Signal Iduna Park.
“Tella is completely ready,” Kasper Hjulmand said in quotes revealed by Kicker DE.
“He’s not at 100 per cent, it’s not enough for 90 minutes, but it’s great that Nathan is back.
“He makes these runs behind the defence, and he is ready to play. He can play outside, but also a little further inside, like in Manchester, as a second striker. He knows what to do,” the Danish manager concluded.
The winner of the clash between both sides tonight advances to the quarter-final of the DFB Pokal. The 2024 UEFA Europa League finalists are two points behind Die Schwarzgelben in the Bundesliga this season.