Edmond Tapsoba has marked his return to competitive action for Bayer Leverkusen, coming on late in their Champions League victory as the club prepares for the decisive phase of the season.
The Burkina Faso international defender made his first appearance since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night, featuring in Leverkusen’s 3-0 win over Villarreal.
Tapsoba was introduced in the 90th minute of the match, signalling his readiness to rejoin the squad after a period of limited involvement.
Leverkusen’s comfortable win secured their place in the Champions League play-offs, with the German side set to face either Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos in the next round.
While the match was already decided by the time Tapsoba entered the pitch, his return was viewed as a positive step for both the player and the club.
After representing Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations, the former Salitas defender had missed several minutes of action upon rejoining his club.
His gradual reintegration has been carefully managed, and the late appearance against Villarreal suggests that he is now ready to contribute fully in the second half of the campaign.
Tapsoba has established himself as an important figure in Leverkusen’s defensive unit in recent seasons, and his availability comes at a crucial point as domestic and European fixtures intensify.
His return offers the coaching staff additional options as the team balances league commitments with the demands of continental competition.
The Champions League outing also provided Leverkusen with an opportunity to rotate their squad while maintaining momentum.
The clean-sheet victory underlined their defensive stability and allowed returning players such as Tapsoba to regain match sharpness in a controlled environment.
With qualification for the knockout phase secured, attention now turns to the upcoming play-off tie.
Facing either Dortmund or Olympiacos will present a significant test, and the presence of experienced defenders could prove vital.
For Tapsoba, the appearance represents a step forward following international duty and a period on the sidelines.
As Leverkusen look ahead to the remainder of the season, his return strengthens a squad aiming to remain competitive on multiple fronts.
