Tella makes Bundesliga return as Leverkusen edge Mainz in seven-goal thriller

Nathan Tella made his first Bundesliga appearance of the season on Saturday as Bayer Leverkusen survived a seven-goal contest to beat FSV Mainz 05 4-3 at the MEWA Arena, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The Super Eagles forward had missed Leverkusen’s opening four league matches while recovering from a back problem. His only previous outing this season came in the DFB-Pokal, when he played the final 25 minutes of a 4-0 win over Wehen Wiesbaden.

Tella used the three-week international break to restore his fitness and was included in a Bundesliga matchday squad for the first time this campaign for the visit to Mainz.

With Leverkusen 4-2 ahead, manager Carles Martinez brought the Nigeria international on for Afonso Moreira with 15 minutes of normal time remaining.

Leverkusen established control early in the match as Robert Andrich and Patrik Schick put the visitors two goals in front. Mainz responded before half-time, with Anthony Caci scoring twice to level the score.

Jarell Quansah and Moussa Diaby then restored Leverkusen’s advantage after the interval. Benedict Hollerbach pulled another goal back late on, but Mainz could not find an equaliser and suffered a 4-3 defeat.

Another Nigerian forward, Victor Boniface, remained an unused substitute for the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions.

Tella’s return to league action follows a period on the sidelines caused by his back injury. His appearance in Mainz was his second for Leverkusen this season after the cup victory over Wehen Wiesbaden.