Noisy Besiktas fans leave Werner in a daze
LONDON: In what must be a football first, RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner had to be taken off during their Champions League match with Besiktas after the noisy Turkish fans left him feeling dizzy.
The 21-year-old Germany international simply could not handle the cacophony inside the Vodafone Arena and asked to be substituted after 32 minutes.
Werner even tried to wear ear plugs to block out the hostile atmosphere after being seen covering his ears with his hands.
Afterwards, he was reported by CapaMag Spor as saying: “I have never seen such an atmopshere in my life. I could not focus on the match.
“I asked for some ear plugs and it did not help either. I still do not feel well.”
German media reported that circulatory problems brought on Werner’s dizziness.
Leipzig went on to lose the match 2-0 and are on course for the knockout stages.
Their coach Ralph Hasenhuttl 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.
“We were not good in the first 20 minutes at all. But it was a lesson for all of us. I saw who I can count on in times like these.’
It was a slice of humble pie for Werner, who played down the effect of the passionate Turkish fans at the weekend when he said: “We will go to Istanbul without fear, Besiktas is not a Bayern Munich or Dortmund.” Daily Mail