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Victor Boniface's compatriot Nathan Tella featured in a rare position as Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run.
Victor Boniface's recent injury has opened the door for his compatriot Nathan Tella to step into a more prominent role at Bayer Leverkusen.
As the German champions continued their impressive unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga, Nigeria and Super Eagles' forgotten man Tella has become an interesting centre of attention.
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12:36 - 09.12.2024
NPFL: Super Eagles legends suffer setbacks as new leaders emerge
The legendary Super Eagles icons suffered defeats on their away matches in the Football League.
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14:35 - 08.12.2024
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Inter Milan: Prediction, head-to-head, team news, possible lineups, and betting tips
Still without Victor Boniface, Leverkusen will hope to win the battle of two in-form teams when they take on Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Here are predictions, team news, betting tips, and possible line-ups for the game.
Boniface's Injury Impact
Boniface, a key player for Bayer Leverkusen, suffered a muscle fibre tear in his thigh during international duty with Nigeria’s Super Eagles, ruling him out for club and country for the rest of the year.
This injury came weeks after the 23-year-old was also involved in a car accident that left him with minor injuries, further complicating his recovery timeline.
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Coach Xabi Alonso confirmed that Boniface will miss multiple games, and while there is hope for a return before the end of the year, he is expected to be out until at least January 2025.
Tella's Rare Opportunity
In the absence of Boniface and most recently Patrik Schick, Tella has been given a rare opportunity to lead the attack.
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Typically utilised as a right wingback in Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 formation, the 25-year-old started in a rare central forward against St. Pauli.
He played for 87 minutes in a match that ended 2-1 in favour of Leverkusen, coming close to scoring but was denied by VAR intervention at the BayArena.
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His performance was notable as he was the most fouled player on the pitch during that game, showing his ability to draw defenders and create space for teammates.
Competing for Positions
With Boniface out of action, Tella's new role poses a potential threat to Boniface's position upon his return.
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Tella has demonstrated adaptability and skill, which could make him a valuable asset in the attacking lineup, especially after Schick, who has joined Boniface on the sidelines.
Schick recently found form, scoring six goals in his last five matches before his setback. The competition between these players shows the depth and talent within Leverkusen's squad.
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Tella's emergence as a central figure could be an interesting dynamic to keep eyes on in Xabi Alonso’s team in the coming matches.
His performance will be crucial as the club seeks to maintain its unbeaten run and also close the game between them and Bayern Munich as they aim to retain the Bundesliga.
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