Giant killers: Tella makes injury comeback as Arminia Bielefeld upset Leverkusen in DFB Pokal

Super Eagles forward Nathan Tella made his long-awaited return from injury, as Arminia Bielefeld knocked out defending champions Bayern Leverkusen with a thrilling 2-1 victory at the SchücoArena on Tuesday.

Tella, who had been sidelined with a muscular injury prior to the international break, was introduced in the 77th minute, replacing Amine Adli as Leverkusen sought to turn the tide in their favour.

His comeback comes after he missed two crucial league matches against VfB Stuttgart and Bochum, as well as the opportunity to represent Nigeria in vital World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Before his injury, Tella had established himself as a key player for Bayer Leverkusen, contributing four goals and three assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.

His versatility in playing multiple positions is expected to be a significant asset for head coach Xabi Alonso as the team aims to contend for the Bundesliga title against rivals Bayern Munich.

The defeat marks a disappointing exit for Leverkusen, who had high hopes of defending their DFB Pokal crown.

Meanwhile, Arminia Bielefeld, seen as the giant killers of the tournament, celebrated a memorable victory, showcasing their ability to compete with the league's top teams.

Tella’s return is a morale booster for Leverkusen as they battle to compete for the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich.

Adeyemi Adewale

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