Tella's Uncertain Fitness Clouds Crucial Leverkusen Match

Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella is uncertain for the match against Holstein Kiel due to hip discomfort. Despite a previous draw with Bayern Munich, coach Xabi Alonso emphasizes readiness for future challenges. Leverkusen remains focused on closing the gap in the league while progressing in other competitions.

Bayer Leverkusen's forward Nathan Tella might miss the upcoming Bundesliga clash against Holstein Kiel as he deals with hip discomfort, coach Xabi Alonso announced on Friday. With 12 league matches left, Leverkusen are eager to close the eight-point gap to leaders Bayern Munich, who they recently drew 0-0 against.

Alonso explained at the press conference that while Tella's condition isn't an injury, it's crucial to assess how he feels during training before making a decision. Despite not securing a win against Bayern, Leverkusen gained important insights from that game, showing they can compete with Germany's top club.

Leverkusen's progression in both the German Cup semi-finals and the Champions League Round of 16 underlines their strong performance. Alonso remains optimistic about their competitiveness but is cautious about speculating on the title race, emphasizing a focus on immediate challenges rather than long-term outcomes.