Not many people know that Taiwo Awoniyi is a Liverpool player on loan at Mainz. But he didn’t get much playing time this season, as he played 9 matches in all competitions, but only started two Bundesliga games and the rest from the bench.<\/p>\n
He knew he needed to gear up his game, but when the Bundesliga resume, he started on the bench again in a game against Koln.<\/p>\n
But in the early second half, Mainz coach Rouven Schroder grew impatient after his team were trailing 2-0 and he decided to change Ji Dong-won with Awoniyi.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old didn’t disappoint as he scored his first ever Bundesliga goal this season. While the game ended in 2-2 draw, Awoniyi is enjoying his moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us to draw the game from 2-0 down, I was really happy. Not only because I scored, but for the team as a whole.<\/p>\n
“In a game of football, coming from 2-0 down and drawing the game in a place that is not your stadium, is not always easy. So, I think the whole team was really happy about it at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Awoniyi also admitted that he’s been waiting for the opportunity to shine in Bundesliga.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say my best moment is the first goal I scored, against Koln.<\/p>\n
“That was naturally my best moment because, even though the fans are not there, but coming in and scoring in less than five minutes is something really great for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Nigerian U-23 player also accepted the fact that they will have to play without any fan cheering inside the stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, with all respect to the fans, if they\u2019re in the stadium it would\u2019ve been more awesome with the way they cheer you and everything.<\/p>\n
“But I believe when they watch at home, they will also be really glad that we scored and I scored as well. But for me, I just have to take it as it is, without the fans, because the most important thing is to score and that\u2019s what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
Awoniyi also shares his thought on how Bundesliga have done well in terms of managing the league during the health crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, Germany is really top when it comes to organisation and managing situations. For me, I think when they decided to start, it\u2019s because they had their plan, they\u2019ve really looked into the situation to start all over again.<\/p>\n
“I think they really have a good organisation put in place before they started the league. And I think it was something good in the whole perspective, but the only sad thing for me as a player is the fans, because they also love to support their team in the stadium.<\/p>\n
“But at the moment, we can only ask them to stay at home and to watch at home, because everything that was done was for their own safety.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"