Nathan Tella explains the movement behind Bayer Leverkusen goal in DFB-Pokal win

Nathan Tella says detailed attacking work in training helped him anticipate the chance he converted as Bayer Leverkusen began their DFB-Pokal campaign with a 4-0 victory over SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday.

The Super Eagles forward scored Leverkusen’s third goal in the 69th minute, completing a convincing performance from the Bundesliga side and helping them reach the second round of the competition.

Tella’s goal came at the end of a carefully constructed attacking move. His positioning allowed him to react when the ball reached the dangerous area, and he finished the opportunity to underline Leverkusen’s control of the match.

Speaking to Werkself-TV after the game, the former Southampton forward explained that Leverkusen’s work on attacking movements had prepared him for what was likely to happen.

“Obviously we’ve worked a lot on the movements he wants the forwards to make and I knew that once I got in that position he was only going to either cross it across the goal or he was going to cut it back,” Tella said.

He said that understanding the movements expected of the forwards enabled him to read the play before his team-mate delivered the ball. Tella also praised the connection he has developed with Ibrahim Maza, suggesting the midfielder recognised the run he was looking to make.

“But you know when you play with someone like him you can see he knew what I wanted and you know deflection but it was going in anyway so it’s good. First half felt a difficult and tough work for long,” Tella added.

Leverkusen had already taken control before Tella’s contribution. Patrik Schick opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, giving the Bundesliga side a two-goal advantage before half-time.

Lucas Vazquez extended the lead in the 47th minute, leaving SV Wehen Wiesbaden with a difficult task after the interval. Tella then struck in the 69th minute to make it 3-0.

Christian Kofane completed the scoring in the 79th minute, confirming a comprehensive victory for Bayer Leverkusen and securing their progress to the second round of the DFB-Pokal.

Tella’s goal was the result of both his awareness in the penalty area and the attacking patterns rehearsed by the Leverkusen squad. His comments also highlighted the growing understanding between himself and Maza, whose movement and delivery helped create the opening.

The 4-0 result ensured Leverkusen moved through the first round in convincing fashion, with Schick, Vazquez, Tella and Kofane all contributing to the scoring.