Germany star Werner left dizzy by din in Besiktas
BERLIN: Germany striker Timo Werner has sought medical advice after he had to come off early in RB Leipzig’s defeat at Besiktas because of dizziness caused by the “deafening” noise from the crowd.
“Timo had circulation and breathing problems,” said Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuettl after the 21-year-old was hauled off on 32 minutes complaining of dizziness in Tuesday’s 2-0 away defeat.
Hasenhuettl said Werner went to see a specialist doctor as soon as Leipzig returned home after Tuesday’s away defeat and the striker is set to play in Germany’s key World Cup qualifier away to Northern Ireland next week.
Werner struggled with the intense noise from Besiktas’ fans at the Vodafone Arena and after ear plugs failed to reduce the din for him, he put his hands over his ears in clear distress before being taken off.
Hasenhuettl admitted the thunderous noise from the Turkish crowd was a reason for the defeat in the first away Champions League game in the German club’s history.
“In the first half, the lads were a little overwhelmed by the occasion,” said Hasenhuettl. “It’s impossible to prepare your team for an atmosphere like this. There was a deafening noise.”
“It was clear to see that being the young team we are, we need to gain some experience. It was a lesson for all of us. I saw who I can count on in times like these.”
The entire RB Leipzig team struggled with the din as first-half goals by ex-Liverpool winger Ryan Babel and Brazilian Talisca sealed the win which left Besiktas top of Group G. “You don’t play every weekend against a backdrop where you can hear nothing else from five metres away. You couldn’t communicate on the pitch,” said defender Stefan Ilsanker.
Liverpool-bound Naby Keita, who is currently suspended in the Bundesliga for a red card, produced a poor performance at Besiktas and was taken off after 59 minutes, which did not impress Hasenhuettl.
“Naby was not good today, maybe it would have been better not to have taken him,” admitted the Leipzig coach with the Guinea midfielder to join Liverpool next season. Having drawn their opening Champions League match 1-1 at home to Monaco — RB Leipzig’s debut in Europe — the German club, which finished a surprise second last season in the Bundesliga, is third in their group.