Bayern Munich: Niko Kovac hails Renato Sanches after Benfica win

Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac has heaped praise on Renato Sanches after his impressive performance against Benfica.

The German champions started their 2018-19 Champions League campaign in a perfect manner on Wednesday, clinching a 2-0 win over Benfica at the Estadio da Luz. It was not a vintage performance from Bayern Munich, but they got the job done and came back to Germany with three important points.

Niko Kovac expectedly rotated the starting XI for this game. Renato Sanches was handed his first start of the season against his former club and the Portuguese midfielder went on to score his first competitive goal for Bayern Munich. It was an impressive performance overall from the young midfielder, who also played a major role in Bayern’s first goal. Speaking in his post-match press conference after the game, Kovac praised Sanches for his fine display (via Goal).

"“I’m happy. Like I said in Munich, Renato wasn’t going to be our travel guide.“What he did tonight was special. You could see why he is such a good player in his young age. A player with high technical and physical skills. And then he even scored.”"

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Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also had words of praise for Sanches after the game. The Portuguese midfielder has endured a difficult two years since joining Bayern Munich in 2016. He was sent on loan to Swansea City last season, but he struggled with poor form and injuries with the Welsh club. He was also omitted from Portugal’s squad for the World Cup in Russia — a large fall from grace for the player who was voted best young player of the 2016 Euros.

There was much speculation about the future of Sanches at Bayern over the summer. The 21-year-old was even linked with a loan move back to Benfica earlier in the summer. Niko Kovac made sure, though, that Bayern keep hold of the dynamic midfielder. The Croatian was thoroughly impressed with Sanches in preseason game and felt he could work well with the youngster.

Bayern Munich declined all offers for Sanches over the summer, including a late push from Paris Saint-Germain in the final days of transfer window. The Bavarians sold Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Rudy to balance their midfield department and make way for the youngster. Despite his poor form throughout the past two seasons, Bayern’s hierarchy believes Sanches can fulfill his potential at the club.

Sanches is still yet to play in Bundesliga this season. The Portuguese midfielder will need adequate gametime in order to continue his development as a player. Bayern lost Corentin Tolisso to a long term injury last weekend, and — though midfield competition remains tough at Bayern — this will no doubt give Sanches ample opportunity to prove his worth this season.

Renato Sanches needs to build on his performance against Benfica midweek. Kovac is unikely to give him a start against Schalke this weekend, as he continues to rotate his lineup every game, but the 21-year-old will have plenty of opportunity to show what he’s got in the coming weeks and months.