Nathan Tella and Edmond Tapsoba sidelined for Bayer Leverkusen

German outlet Kicker reported the news, leaving fans and pundits alike assessing the impact on the reigning Bundesliga champions.

Tella, known for his pace and flair on the wing, could make a swift return. The 25-year-old has a chance to be back in action for the DFB-Pokal semi-final against Arminia Bielefeld next week.

"There is hope for Nathan Tella," head coach Xabi Alonso said earlier this month when discussing the forward's recovery timeline, offering optimism for a speedy comeback.

Tapsoba's situation, however, looks trickier. The towering centre-back, a linchpin in Leverkusen's defence, is lagging about a week behind Tella in his rehabilitation.

The club expect him to resume training around the time of the Bielefeld clash, but a return to the pitch might not come until later.

Sources suggest he could miss not only Bochum but also the league trip to Heidenheim, with a potential comeback slated for April 12 against Union Berlin. "Edi might need a bit more time," Alonso has said, reflecting caution about rushing the 26-year-old back.

The injuries pile pressure on Leverkusen, who are already juggling a packed schedule across the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League.

Posts on X from Bayer Leverkusen, confirmed both players were absent from training on Monday, alongside other sidelined stars like Florian Wirtz and Mario Hermoso. "Nathan Tella and Edmond Tapsoba will both be out for Friday's game against Bochum," the update read, aligning with Kicker's report.

Tella has been a spark for Leverkusen this season, netting two goals and providing two assists in the Bundesliga, while Tapsoba's commanding presence has anchored their backline.

Their absence could force Alonso to shuffle his pack, with the likes of Nordi Mukiele and Piero Hincapié likely to step up defensively, and Amine Adli potentially filling the void in attack.

For a club chasing silverware on multiple fronts, these setbacks test their depth. Leverkusen have shown resilience before, think back to Tella's match-winning header against Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal last December, but keeping the momentum without these two could prove a stern challenge. Fans will be watching closely to see how Die Werkself adapt as the season heats up.

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