by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- It will be a while before Stuttgart striker Denz Undav has outlined the communication patterns when it comes to Malian international El Bilal Toure.
"Hand and feet, our French-speaking guys and, well, football's international valid sign language," the German international and Toure teammate said while laughing out loud and added: "We get our message through to him, he is a clever guy."
The praised 23-year-old forward, for a reason, is a late bloomer when it comes to Stuttgart's strikers. Joining in late in August on loan from Serie-A side Atalanta, "It took some time to get into things at a new club," Stuttgart managing director Fabian Wohlgemuth said.
Meant as a backup for the VfB's established strikers Undav and Bosnian-Herzegovina international Ermedin Demirovic, the on-loan striker has gained ground "after he had to wait for his chance," as Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness put it.
In time, it seems El Bilal has made his way to the level, turning him into a serious competitor for the front line.
While time was too short to learn German or English, the African attacker triggered international attention when scoring the winner in the UEFA Champions League away game against Juve (1-0), not to speak of two league goals, aside from one assist.
Enjoying his upswing, excitement is growing to new heights with the 2007 German champion facing Toure's former club Atalanta, in the fourth round of matches in the 2024/25 Champions League campaign this Wednesday evening.
"I have been waiting for that game for long," the forward said while adding he is hoping for a "good performance day."
Chances for a place in the starting eleven seem promising as it was Toure who kept the club's Champions League hopes alive by delivering the winner in Torino.
Hoeness is praising the striker "as he has the advantage of both equally strong feet, which is a rare thing in football."
"Left or right? You can't even tell which of his legs is the stronger one," the Stuttgart coach said, mentioning El Bilal's speed and heading qualities.
Communication seems to work better day by day, as the striker has already sent an important message to his teammates and the club's supporters. He favors being called by his first name, he said, aside from having written it on the back of his competition shirt.
"We will benefit from his goals and him being around," Hoeness said about the 19-time capped who already has gained fan's hearts.
"Everyone can understand this is a special game for me, but more important is the success of the entire team," Toure said.
As it seems, the Malian, Cote d'Ivoire-born, has landed safely on the German first flight and has increased his coach's options despite the remaining language barriers. Toure is paying back in football's most valuable currency, goals. ■