Leroy Sané is experiencing an astonishing rollercoaster ride at Galatasaray. An expert on Turkish football says: The German international is now almost unstoppable.
Leroy Sané surely imagined his return to his old stomping ground quite differently. Against Manchester City, it wasn’t just a 0-2 defeat: For the Galatasaray star, the Champions League match also had unpleasant consequences.
Afterwards, tears and bleeding were found in the collateral ligament and joint capsule of his right ankle. The injury means an untimely absence, as the international player, known for fluctuating form, was in a peak phase.
An insider, who knows Turkish football inside out, now explains to SPORT1 how Sané won the hearts of fans and elevated Galatasaray to a new level after his departure from FC Bayern.
Sane? “You need a tank to stop him”
“Currently, there is no other footballer in Turkey who can play passes like him to Victor Osimhen and his teammates,” says journalist Muhammet Duman.
The Turk adds: “Galatasaray has not signed such an effective and versatile player for a long time. Leroy Sané has the speed of Rodrygo and the dribbling skills of Mohamed Salah. It is truly an incredible pleasure to watch him.”
Especially since autumn, Sané has been in top form. In December alone, the DFB star scored three goals and provided two assists in the league. “Currently, you need a tank to stop him,” says Duman.
The tide has long turned for the dribbling artist at his new club. It looked different some time ago: After his move from FC Bayern to Turkey, there was quite a bit of criticism.
Nagelsmann even initially excluded the winger from the DFB squad. “He plays in a league that is a bit weaker than the Bundesliga, and I think he needs to stand out even more there,” emphasized the national coach.
How Sané worked his way up to top level
But insider Duman sees precisely this difficult period as a turning point: “Sané was spurred on by an exceptional training program during the international breaks. He didn’t give up.”
After that, Sané took off and became a fan favorite. After initial difficulties, the supporters are now fully behind their star.
The result: In 28 games, he has six goals and seven assists.
That things didn’t go well from the start was an almost logical consequence of the storm of enthusiasm Sané’s arrival in Istanbul had triggered. The expectations were enormous.
Leroy Sané and David Raum (from left)
“I’ve been a journalist for 13 years and I can’t remember ever experiencing such excitement and enthusiasm before. Sané has turned Istanbul into a true hell,” Duman recalls.
Due to his impressive career with stints at Schalke, Manchester City, and FC Bayern, some fans were quite disappointed in the first few weeks. They expected great things. “However, the time when Sané had to prove himself to the fans is now over, and the show has begun,” Duman told SPORT1 .
Pioneer Sané impresses as a “bee”
The journalist sees Sané more relaxed than before and reports on a completely new interaction with the spectators. “He has experienced support from the Galatasaray fans like he may never have in his life.”
At FC Bayern, the technician was constantly accompanied by critical voices. Among other things, his body language and defensive work were repeatedly criticized. But now he has completely new strengths. “Sané currently works like a bee on the left wing, the right wing, and in the number ten position. He also constantly helps out in defense,” Duman reports.
The insider adds: “He taught the team how to fight like a hungry lion.” But now the big star must first watch and show patience.
In a few weeks, Galatasaray will urgently need their superstar again at the latest, as two duels with Juventus await in the Champions League playoffs. The first match is on February 17. According to reports, Sané could be fit again by then.
A win for Turkish football
Especially for the fans of the traditional club and even the fans of other Turkish teams, days of waiting are now ahead. An absence of Sané would be a severe setback.
Because: “Sané has become one of the biggest ambassadors of Turkish football in the world. He is a real brand and a win for Turkish football. To have a character like Sané representing us is truly the greatest development in Turkish football,” says Duman.
Listening to the reporter’s descriptions, it becomes clear: Only an untimely injury could stop Sané.