Sadio Mané and Leroy Sané jogged about two meters apart around the Munich training ground on Säbener Strasse.
Sané bit his lip a few times, Mané occasionally flashed a smile across his face. The two FC Bayern attacking players were particularly in the focus of the cameras – after media reports about an argument between them in the dressing room after the Champions League first leg at Manchester City, there was speculation about the consequences on Thursday.
Mané appeared on time at the club premises of the German record champions in the morning. As the TV broadcaster Sky and “Bild” reported, both professionals are said to have spoken to the management team around Oliver Kahn. During training, the attackers seemed relaxed. There was no sign of a quarrel two days earlier.
An official statement from the German soccer record champions was not available until midday. According to consistent reports, those responsible for Bayern met a day after the incident. According to Sport1, CEO Oliver Kahn and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic are said to have been involved in the talks. Bayern’s reaction was eagerly awaited.
Unpleasant sideshow
For Africa’s Footballer of the Year, the debate is the next step backwards in an already disappointing season. For the Munich management team, there is once again an unpleasant sideshow that needs to be moderated. Serge Gnabry’s fashion trip to Paris, the end of goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic and the verbal exchange of blows between Kahn and Lothar Matthäus: the list of topics that has affected the Bundesliga club’s sporting performance in recent weeks, in addition to the separation from coach Julian Nagelsmann of the square is long. Memories of the image of the former “FC Hollywood” are awakened.
In the midst of the turbulent weeks, Mané is increasingly becoming a Munich concern. On and off the pitch. In the summer of 2022, after signing Liverpool FC, the attacker was considered a Munich royal transfer. Many saw him as the new Robert Lewandowski, a top scorer, a star striker. Bayern were very proud to have signed an absolute world star. “I think the fans will love him and are thrilled,” said FCB President Herbert Hainer at the time. But the euphoria fizzled out as quickly as it arose.
Frustrated Mane
The Senegalese has been either injured or out of shape for months – but always frustrated. The Sadio Mané from Liverpool’s heyday has not yet arrived in Munich. Six Bundesliga goals are not enough to live up to his reputation as a world star. When playing jokers, the 31-year-old often seems like a foreign body on the field.
“He made a good step,” said new coach Thomas Tuchel after the 1-0 (0-0) win at SC Freiburg. “He’s been hardworking and I feel like he knows how to help us.” In Manchester, however, Mané was only substituted on in the 69th minute and was unable to give the game any decisive impetus.
After all, the short time on the lawn at Etihad Stadium was enough for a misunderstanding with serious consequences: In the 83rd minute, Sané struggled with Mané’s path, which did not meet, but had started in the alley. The aftermath followed after the game.
