Bayern Munich’s 1-0 Champions League win over SL Benfica this Wednesday can probably be attributed in part to the lively substitutions of wingers Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman in the second half.
Sané came on for Michael Olise on the right wing in the 56th minute, while Coman relieved Serge Gnabry in the 72nd. As Bayern midfield general Joshua Kimmich noted, the four wingers combined for a devastated one-two punch to Benfica’s efforts to snatch even a point off the Bavarians.
“Leroy and Kingsley made very good decisions when they came on, sometimes going into 1v1 dribbling and sometimes making runs in behind,” Kimmich noted after the match in comments captured via @iMiaSanMia. “I can see it from the perspective of the opposing full-backs. When you play for 60 minutes against Michael and Serge, and then Leroy and King come on — it’s very tiring. The guys coming off the bench gave us a big push once again.”
The Bayern No. 6 has spent plenty of time at right-back as well in his career, so he knows what it is like to deal with fresh legs and a change in dynamic like this. Head coach Vincent Kompany currently enjoys an abundance of talent at his disposal in the Bayern attack and it will be his task to continue making the best use of them — in the starting lineup or off the bench.
Looking for a discussion on Bayern Munich’s post-Harry Kane plans and why rotation at wing could hold the kept to the team’s season? Then check out our Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
