Bayern Munich’s Julian Nagelsmann: “Just let Leroy be Leroy”

Julian Nagelsmann has again come out in support of Leroy Sane. The winger hasn’t had the brightest of starts this season for Bayern Munich and he’s come under a great deal of criticism for some of his performances thus far. Nagelsmann had come out earlier this week and said that tactically, he’s made the discovery that Sane is far more productive playing on the left flank, which is something he’s now really going to take into consideration when he makes his lineup decisions. He started from the left in Bayern’s 12-0 routing of Bremer SV in the DFB-Pokal first round encounter, but ironically enough, Sane was not in the starting eleven to take on Hertha Berlin at the Allianz Arena. Instead, Jamal Musiala is starting at left wing.

“On the right, Leroy often has the situation that he wants the ball in his foot and then has to play with his back to the goal - but that’s not the best quality. When he plays on the left, he has a bit more depth, the game in front of him, it is easier for him,” Nagelsmann had said at the Weserstadion after the win over Bremer SV (Abendzeitung). That tactical switch, Nagelsmann continued would be “the first step in making him aware of the great quality he has and what he is not quite able to do.”

For Sane, Musiala’s rapid growth is certainly cause for concern. He made an immediate impact as a halftime sub in the 3-2 win over FC Koln last weekend and teed up Robert Lewandowski’s goal, which broke the deadlock at the time. He was equally as exciting in the routing of Bremer SV. Kingsley Coman has also returned from a minor injury problem sustained in the DFL-Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund, so that’s another player Sane could have to compete with on the left. Not to mention, while it’s arguable Serge Gnabry is better on the right, he can also play on the left and Nagelsmann has already used him there before.

Photo by Carmen Jaspersen/picture alliance via Getty Images

When he was pressed on Sane’s status once again in his press conference ahead of the Hertha Berlin match, Nagelsmann urged the press to give it a rest and just let Sane play his football. “Let the player just play football and develop. Let Leroy just be Leroy, then you will see, that he’ll go through the roof soon enough,” Nagelsmann stressed. He genuinely feels that Sane will turn his performances around and be an effective player for Bayern this season.