What Bayer Leverkusen forward Tella said after scoring his first goal in UEFA Champions League

Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella has shared his excitement after scoring his first-ever UEFA Champions League goal in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 triumph over Sparta Praha at the BayArena.

Tella found the net in the 64th minute to seal the victory for the Bundesliga leaders after Florian Wirtz had given them the lead in the first half. 

The goal marks a significant milestone in Tella’s European journey, helping his side secure progression to the knockout stages of the competition.

Despite the joy of scoring, the Nigerian international, speaking after the game, admitted some frustration over missed opportunities during the match.

"We had to try our luck. We knew that it was in our hands if we won, we would automatically be in the top eight," Tella told Bayer Leverkusen's official webpage.

"I felt that we played good and missed a lot of chances but frustrated that I missed more than I should have expected.

"But I am happy that I am able to score and qualify is the main thing.”

Looking ahead, Tella is feeling optimistic as Leverkusen prepare for a crucial Bundesliga clash against Bayern Munich this weekend. 

The former Burnley forward is eager to secure another important win that could strengthen his team’s bid to retain the Bundesliga title.

"Feeling confident. It's always nice to win especially in big games and tonight is another big game, where we were able to get a good win in front of our fans and progress to the next round," he added.

Tella has stepped up impressively in the absence of Nigerian striker Victor Boniface, proving his worth in Leverkusen’s squad. 

Earlier this month, he scored the decisive goal in their DFB Pokal victory over Bayern Munich.

Now, the 25-year-old will aim to maintain his fine form and continue to impress manager Xabi Alonso as Leverkusen push for domestic and European success.

Adeyemi Adewale

Photo Credit: bayer04.de

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