“It’s a special game” – Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella anticipates Rhine Derby in Cologne

Nathan Tella joined Bayer 04 Leverkusen from relegated Southampton last summer in a deal worth twenty million pounds.

Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen winger, Nathan Temitayo Tella is anticipating his side’s Rhine Derby clash against F.C. Cologne in the Bundesliga, Soccernet.ng reports.

Tella, 24, has featured across several positions for Xabi Alonso’s men this term, playing a crucial role in their win over Bundesliga record Champions, Bayern Munich.

33!

🔴⚫️
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen have now smashed Bayern Munich’s record of the longest unbeaten run by a German team after their win against Mainz 05.

🏟️ 33 games
🟢 29 wins
🟰 4 draws
🔴 0 defeats

↪️ 97 goals scored
↩️ 24 goals conceded https://t.co/o4gIkF4RAC

— Fola Guerreiro (@folahan_jnr) February 23, 2024

This weekend, they travel to the Rhein-Energie Stadion to face Timo Schultz’s FC Köln in the Rhine Derby, one of the biggest fixtures in German football.

Speaking ahead of the game, Tella revealed that ties like Sunday’s game against the Billy Goats are what makes football fans happy because of the uniqueness and rivalry.

“Yes, it is a very special game. As a team, we are all looking forward to playing against our rivals. It is going to be a good game. A good opportunity for us. We always want to make our supporters happy. It means a lot for us but also for them. We have given them a lot of good memories this season and we want to continue to do that,” the Arsenal academy graduate told Bundesliga International.

The Rhine Derby is any game played between clubs in the North Rhine-Westphalia region in Germany. Clubs in this area include FC Köln, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Bayer Leverkusen.

Xabi Alonso’s men are currently nine points at the top of the table, with Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern in second place, while Köln are 16th on the table, just four points above the bottom spot.