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Moroccan forward explains Nathan Tella's out-of-position role at Bayer

Posted : 20 February 2025

Moroccan forward Amine Adli has shared his insights on why Bayer 04 Leverkusen's coach, Xabi Alonso, occasionally uses Nathan Tella as a striker. Tella, who joined the club from Southampton for £20m last season, was primarily utilized as a right-winger but also filled in as a right-wing back when needed.


In a surprising tactical decision during Leverkusen’s 1-0 DFB Pokal win over Bayern Munich this season, Alonso played Tella as a striker. The move caught many off guard, including Adli, but it ultimately proved successful as Tella scored the winning header that knocked Bayern out of the competition.


Adli expressed that Alonso often has specific tactical approaches for different games. “Not playing for three and a half months and then getting substituted in such a crucial game against Bayern says a lot,” Adli explained. “I was a bit surprised it happened in such an important match.”


According to Adli, Alonso sometimes implements strategies that are difficult to predict or explain, but they work effectively in the end. He further elaborated that if he, himself, had taken the same position as Tella, the decision might have been seen as genius by others.


The Moroccan forward emphasized the importance of players who can execute Alonso’s tactics. He specifically mentioned Tella and himself, describing their high pressing and running abilities as key to implementing the coach’s game plan against tough opponents like Bayern Munich.


Adli also acknowledged that, while the team may not always fully understand the reasoning behind some tactical choices, they trust Alonso's decisions and see the positive results. "We cannot complain," he concluded.


This season, Tella has contributed three goals and three assists in 30 appearances for Leverkusen, just three goals shy of matching his tally from the previous season.

 

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