Leroy Sané has been dealing with an injury problem since the beginning of April that forced him to really manage his minutes for the end of Bayern Munich’s season. Along with Manuel Neuer, his training towards the end of the season during the club’s Champions League run was adjusted and tailored specifically as to not put any sort of aggravation on his pubic bone injury. He was rested in the Bundesliga ahead of both of Bayern’s Champions League semi-finals legs against Real Madrid, who went on to win the competition at Wembley against fellow Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
Sané described playing through a great deal of pain during matches in Bayern’s Champions League run, but the club had to do their part in managing his minutes. They had to strike a unique balance between not missing out of such an important player for the squad, but not running too much of a risk of complicating the injury any further.
Sané is currently with the German national team in their preparations for this summer’s European Championships, but as expected, he did not play a part in the recent 0-0 friendly draw with Ukraine in Nuremberg. He did, however, say that his fitness progression is going well and to plan, and that he still expects to play a part in the upcoming friendly against Greece, which is the last test match before the Euros kick off.
“I have a plan to get better bit by bit. Overall, things are looking very, very good. For me – as of now – I will play on Friday [against Greece],” the winger recently told Az’s Maximilian Koch (via @iMiaSanMia).
For Sané, an appearance against Greece in the upcoming friendly would be his first appearance for the German national team in the calendar year of 2024, as his last appearance for them came during the winter 2023 international break where he was sent off in the 2-0 friendly loss against Austria. That particular occasion had been his fourth appearance since Julian Nagelsmann had taken charge of the national team after Hansi Flick was dismissed. He took part in the 3-2 loss to Turkey, the 2-2 draw with Mexico, and the 3-1 win over the United States Men’s National Team prior to the calamitous red card against Austria.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Germany’s 0-0 draw with Ukraine? Then Bavarian Football Works has you covered! Get all of Cyler’s takes on Germany’s tune-up friendly ahead of what could be a very interesting EURO 2024 competition on Spotify or below: