First use since June
©IMAGO
Last week, Leroy Sané was nominated for the DFB team by national coach Julian Nagelsmann for the first time since his move to Galatasaray. He impressed with an assist in the 2-0 win against Luxembourg. “He wasn’t there on probation, but he was there to decide the game, to have a say, and that’s what he did,” said Nagelsmann, commenting on the 29-year-old winger’s performance.
In the summer, Sané moved from FC Bayern to Galatasaray on a free transfer and was probably therefore not selected for the German national team in September and October. “He has to stand out more. I need a certain quota,” said Nagelsmann in August. In the Galatasaray jersey, the Essen native scored three goals and three assists in 15 appearances – that’s probably not the “certain quota”, but the nomination followed. Before the game against Luxembourg, he was last on the field for the DFB in the Nations League semi-final against Portugal (1:2) in June.
In Germany’s lackluster success in Luxembourg, which brought the team one step closer to a World Cup ticket, Sané was able to initiate Nick Woltemade’s 1-0 goal. “Not everyone does that, to be honest. It has nothing to do with the opponent, it’s just a ball that you have to process first,” attested the national coach. “He knows that there are no longer countless opportunities to prove yourself at national team level, at least under my leadership.”
Sané was happy about the exchange with Nagelsmann, under whom he played 77 games for FC Bayern between July 2021 and March 2023, in which he was involved in 49 goals. “Julian and I have a very good connection. We speak openly and honestly with each other. We’ve talked a lot recently. I know what I have to do. I’m glad that I was able to repay some of the trust,” said the 71-time national player and underlined his World Cup ambitions: “That’s my goal, to be there.”