Europa League: Bayer Leverkusen Didn’t Play To Their Best Against West Ham –Tella

Super Eagles winger, Nathan Tella has revealed that Bayer Leverkusen were not at their best when they played out a 1-1 draw against West Ham in the quarter-finals second leg of the Europa League on Thursday.

Recall that the newly crowned Bundesliga champions secured their spot in the semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Victor Boniface (l) and Nathan Tella (r) in action for Bayer Leverkusen against Weder Bremen in the Bundesliga. Credit: Pierre O. Kouédy / GB2 images

Xabi Alonso’s team remains undefeated in 44 consecutive matches across all competitions this season for Die Werkself.

Speaking after the game, Tella stated that Bayer Leverkusen didn’t play to their best against West Ham.

Tella celebrates with Boniface during Bayer Leverkusen’s match against Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Credit: Pierre O. Kouédy / GB2 images

“We knew it would be a difficult place to come. In the first half, we did not play our best football, which won us the league and got us to the position, but we knew that we had to stick to our principles,” Tella told Ian Abraham after the game.

“Obviously, the manager said a bit at half-time to get us going again, and the second half was a different performance. We are able to get through, Jeremie scored the goal, and thankfully, we are through.”