Leroy Sané has returned to the Germany U21 squad after almost half a year. He was part of the Germany first team squad for the Euros in summer and came on as a substitute in the semi-final against France. The last match he played for the U21 side was in Russia in March. The team face the same opponent on Friday at 18:00 CEST in Ingolstadt and Sané wants to secure qualification for the U21s. The U21s have won all of their eight games and have scored 24 goals, five of which were scored by Sané. Stefan Kuntz’s team want to remain unbeaten in qualification.
Leroy Sané spoke to DFB.de in an interview about his new club and new manager Pep Guardiola. The 20-year old also explained why a call-up for the U21 side isn’t a setback and how he views his role in the team.
DFB.de: Leroy Sané, you’re used to this kind of weather in Bad Gögging now, right?
Leroy Sané: Yes, of course (laughs). It rains just as often in Manchester. My teammates told me that I still haven’t seen winter yet…
DFB.de: How have you found your first few months in Manchester?
Sané: I feel very much at home. I already knew a few players beforehand but the teammates gave me a very warm welcome. They took care of me from the beginning and always asked if I needed any help. Ilkay Gündogan is another German player also new to the team. But as I said, we received the best welcome.
DFB.de: You have made three appearances in the Premier League and one in the Champions League since coming back from your hamstring injury. You came on as a substitute every time. What were your first impressions and experiences in the club?
Sané: I’m getting more minutes since coming back from my injury and I can hardly wait to start my first match for Manchester City. The atmosphere at the club is something special. I am playing with top class footballers under Pep Guardiola who wanted to bring me to Manchester. It didn’t all sink in properly until I watched myself playing for Manchester City on television for the first time.
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Leroy Sané has returned to the Germany U21 squad after almost half a year. He was part of the Germany first team squad for the Euros in summer and came on as a substitute in the semi-final against France. The last match he played for the U21 side was in Russia in March. The team face the same opponent on Friday at 18:00 CEST in Ingolstadt and Sané wants to secure qualification for the U21s. The U21s have won all of their eight games and have scored 24 goals, five of which were scored by Sané. Stefan Kuntz’s team want to remain unbeaten in qualification.
Leroy Sané spoke to DFB.de in an interview about his new club and new manager Pep Guardiola. The 20-year old also explained why a call-up for the U21 side isn’t a setback and how he views his role in the team.
DFB.de: Leroy Sané, you’re used to this kind of weather in Bad Gögging now, right?
Leroy Sané: Yes, of course (laughs). It rains just as often in Manchester. My teammates told me that I still haven’t seen winter yet…
DFB.de: How have you found your first few months in Manchester?
Sané: I feel very much at home. I already knew a few players beforehand but the teammates gave me a very warm welcome. They took care of me from the beginning and always asked if I needed any help. Ilkay Gündogan is another German player also new to the team. But as I said, we received the best welcome.
DFB.de: You have made three appearances in the Premier League and one in the Champions League since coming back from your hamstring injury. You came on as a substitute every time. What were your first impressions and experiences in the club?
Sané: I’m getting more minutes since coming back from my injury and I can hardly wait to start my first match for Manchester City. The atmosphere at the club is something special. I am playing with top class footballers under Pep Guardiola who wanted to bring me to Manchester. It didn’t all sink in properly until I watched myself playing for Manchester City on television for the first time.
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DFB.de: You were in the senior national team’s squad for EURO 2016 in France but now you are back with the U21 side for their European Championships qualification games against Russia and Austria. Who let you know of the change in arrangement, Stefan Kuntz or Joachim Löw?
Sané: I spoke with both coaches and they told me that they had come to their decision together. I am happy to be with the U21 squad and am looking forward to the extra match practice, not least because I have been out for a while with injury. The U21 side is a great springboard to the senior team and the playing time will do me good, and it would be great to help the U21 side get through their qualifiers. There are a number of players who have made the jump from the U21s to the main team – Kimmich, Meyer, Weigl and Brandt are all clear examples even in the current squad for this round of fixtures. Players like Tah, Gunter, Süle and I are now with the U21s again, which shows how much top level talent we have in our younger players.
DFB.de: Your last U21 international match was under Horst Hrubesch’s leadership, but he has since departed and been replaced by Stefan Kuntz. What are your early impressions of the new coach so far?
Sané: My impression so far is very good. I have spoken to him a bit on the phone and I already know the team and the kind of guys they are. He understands the team well and has spoken at length with quite a few players, which is an important part of things.
DFB.de: Will your role in the U21 have changed much in reflection of your having earned four full caps for the first team?
Sané: It is clear to me that things have changed somewhat, having spoken to the coach. I want to take on more responsibility in the team and I have to now show that. I want to use the experience I have picked up with the main squad and now with Manchester City to help the team.
DFB.de: A win over Russia would ensure qualification to the European Championships in Poland this summer. How do you want to approach Friday’s game?
Sané: Just as we have done in our other recent qualifiers, we want to dominate from the start and put our opponents under pressure. If we can manage that, every team will find it difficult to play against us. If we win the game against Russia we can go to Austria with a higher level of confidence.
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