RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner reportedly requested to be substituted during his team’s UEFA Champions League defeat to Besiktas on Tuesday because of the incredible noise generated by the Turkish fans.
According to the Telegraph, despite wearing earplugs, the 21-year-old could be seen covering his ears to protect himself from the remarkable atmosphere and had to be withdrawn after little more than half an hour with “hearing issues.”
Manager Ralph Hassenhutl said: “It is impossible to prepare your team for an atmosphere like this. There was a deafening noise [and] at the start of the game we were a bit affected.”
Ryan Babel and Anderson Talisca fired Besiktas to a 2-0 victory in what was Leipzig’s first away match in the Champions League.
Besiktas player Adriano provided a sample of the atmosphere after the game as the fans celebrated:
Congrats to the team for the fantastic display. And to all of you amazing fans: you are the heart of Besiktas! ♥️⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/GX8ijQnd2T
— Adriano Correia (@AdrianoCorreia6) September 27, 2017
The Sun Football provided a photo of Werner receiving his earplugs from the touchline during the match:
Bizarre scenes as Timo Werner substituted after 31 minutes due to Besiktas fans https://t.co/mhokbvs29Y pic.twitter.com/bnRf8YySbU
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) September 27, 2017
According to Bild’s Stefan Krause (h/t The Sun’s Toby Gannon), he had “circulatory problems” and dizziness, and Turkish outlet CapaMag Spor quoted Werner as saying: “I have never seen such an atmosphere in my life. I could not focus on the match. I asked for a headset, and it did not help either. I still do not feel well.”
Leipzig’s English Twitter account also commented on the noise levels:
Not only are we now behind, but we’re pretty sure we’ve got tinnitus too. Mawp.#ExpeditionEuropa #UCL #BJKRBL 1-0 pic.twitter.com/YsruTvR1ej
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) September 26, 2017
Turkish clubs have long been known for generating some of the most intense atmospheres in European football, and this latest evidence only serves to confirm that.
Given the fans were able to nullify their opponents’ biggest threat, it will hardly be surprising if it’s even more heightened during their next home match in the Champions League.
By Bleacher Report
