The German striker was taken out of action after playing just over half an hour
Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller are hoping Bayern Munich will see the best of Leroy Sane next year after the winger replaced and off against Bayer Leverkusen.
Sane has had a tough time since joining Bayern from Manchester City for € 49 million in first place in July, limited to just five Bundesliga starts.
He was re-named on the bench for Saturday’s trip to BayArena but was brought in just after the half-hour mark for the injured Kingsley Coman.
However, the German international stood just 36 minutes on the field before being taken off for Jamal Musiala with the game close to 1-1 and Bayern running a goal.
Sane cut a difficult figure as he made his way back to the bench but head coach Hansi Flick felt he had no choice but to make the hard call.
“It wasn’t a punishment,” he said at his post-match press conference. “I had to do it, and the choices were either Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry or Leroy.
“Thomas is essential to our system, Serge got into the game in the second half. So I had to put under Leroy.
“Ultimately, it’s about the success of the team above the individuals. We support Leroy in every way possible.”
Sane lost possession nine times, completed 15 of his 19 passes (78.9 percent) and surrendered two fangs, which was more than any other Bayern player.
But Muller, who was successful compared to 38 of his 52 passes (73.1 percent) and lost top-flight teammates 20 times, jumped to the defense of his teammate.
“Hansi must have had his reasons,” Muller said of Sane’s draw. “Personally, I enjoy playing with Leroy and I think we had more offensive moves down the right side when he came forward.
“I don’t think it will be that long before we start talking about Leroy in a different way. It’s very close to breaking through.
“He shouldn’t be bothered by this but motivated. It doesn’t make it any easier for us to struggle a little bit as a team right now.”
Sane creates an average of 0.7 big chances for every 90 minutes he plays in the Bundesliga this season, which is guaranteed only by Coman (1.07) among Bayern players to have appeared at least six times.
Only Douglas Costa (2.97) and Musiala (3.71) have completed more dribbles every 90 minutes than Sane ‘s 2.45, at the same time, and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic is pleased with the performances of the former striker. from overcoming a long-term situation.
“The boy is really a great player, he was injured for a long time,” he said. “He also wants more of himself.
“The team will help him. I’m sure and I totally believe in him. He has qualities he hopes to show us in the first game of the new year.”
Lewandowski hit twice against Leverkusen, including a 93rd-minute winner, after Patrik Schick led the home side.
The Polish international, who has 17 goals after a combined Bundesliga draw with Gerd Muller, expected a brighter future for Sane.
“It takes some time,” Lewandowski said. “Next year I’m sure he’ll show his quality. I’ll keep my fingers crossed – he’s a good guy.
“He knows he can benefit from a short break and we need him to move on.”
The Bayern leaders have traced 1-0 in each of the last seven Bundesliga games – the longest run ever – but will take two points into the mid – season break after their latest fight.