Nigeria international Nathan Tella says he is determined to help Bayer Leverkusen win the UEFA Europa League this season.
Leverkusen travel to face Polish side Lech Poznan at the Poznan Stadium on Thursday (today) in their Matchday Two fixture, with Tella hoping to contribute to another memorable European campaign for the former Bundesliga champions.
The winger has fond memories of Leverkusen’s run in the competition during the 2023/24 season. The German club remained unbeaten on their way to the final in Dublin, creating a series of memorable European nights.
Tella believes Leverkusen can use those experiences, along with their recent performances, as the foundation for another challenge for the trophy.
“Those were magical nights. We want to build on those, as well as the last few games,” the Nigeria international was quoted as saying on the club’s official website.
The Europa League also holds particular significance for Tella on a personal level. He scored his first goal for Leverkusen in the competition during their 2-1 victory over Molde on October 5, 2023.
That goal came during the former Burnley player’s first experience of European football, making the tournament an important part of his career with the German club.
“This competition means a lot to me. They were my first games in Europe,” Tella said.
The Nigeria winger will now look to play an influential role as Leverkusen seek to repeat their previous European success and lift the Europa League trophy.
Their meeting with Lech Poznan is the next step in that pursuit, with Tella intent on helping the club turn its strong memories of the competition into another successful campaign.