His playing time does not live up to his own expectations. Under Gerardo Seoane, Nadiem Amiri has not been part of the starting line-up since Matchday 2. And even before the Europa League match at Celtic Glasgow, Leverkusen’s coach was cautious about the international’s chances.
From Glasgow reports Stephan von Nocks
Gerardo Seoane doesn’t want to let his cards show. Even after Robert Andrich (infection), the third potential six-pointer after Julian Baumgartlinger (knee surgery) and Exequiel Palacios (torn ankle ligament), is out, the Swiss is keeping a low profile.
“I don’t want to make any comments on the line-up,” Leverkusen’s coach said in the Jock Stein Lounge at Celtic Park on Wednesday night when asked about Nadiem Amiri’s starting eleven chances, “Robert is ill. And those who are in, they all have a chance to be on the pitch tomorrow. I will make the final decision after the final training. “
Amiri is getting the short end of the stick regularly at the moment
Even as he describes the 24-year-old Amiri’s situation, he does not begin to suggest that he is likely to start on Thursday. On the contrary. “In central midfield we have four, five players who are really at a high level,” Seoane explains in general terms, “there is a lot of competition.” In which Amiri currently regularly gets the short end of the stick, although he is not guilty of anything.
Indeed, Seoane explicitly emphasises that. “What I can say is that Nadiem is training well. He came in for two games recently and was also able to make his mark. We are satisfied with the way he is training,” says the 42-year-old. The catch from Amiri’s point of view is that he still didn’t play from the start.
Seoane’s statements indicate that Amiri will have to wait further
Will that change on Thursday? “It’s clear,” says Seoane, “at some point he will also get the chance to play from the start again.” Eventually. A word that suggests Amiri will have to continue to be patient.
The coach’s statements are similar to those he made before the first group match against Ferencvaros Budapest (2-1), for which many observers had expected Amiri to start. However, he did not make it.
No public criticism – Seoane keen to avoid conflict
What is particularly difficult for the professional: at least publicly, there is no point of criticism from the coach that he could work on. So Amiri is doing nothing wrong, but still has to get in line.
Seoane is keen not to let any conflict arise and says: “It was always a decision for someone else and not against Nadiem. And we are convinced that he can help us.” It’s just that for six competitive games already, the international has only been allowed to do so on a part-time basis…
