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Talking Tactics: Sane and Werner at Bayern Munich

By Kartik Sahni

Germany's forward Leroy Sane (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate Germany's forward Timo Werner during international friendly football match Germany v Russia in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 15, 2018. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Germany's forward Leroy Sane (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate Germany's forward Timo Werner during international friendly football match Germany v Russia in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 15, 2018. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 10: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Timo Werner of RB Leipzig controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League round of 16-second leg match between RB Leipzig and Tottenham Hotspur at Red Bull Arena on March 10, 2020, in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 10: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Timo Werner of RB Leipzig controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League round of 16-second leg match between RB Leipzig and Tottenham Hotspur at Red Bull Arena on March 10, 2020, in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Defensive Contribution

Werner and Sane play an integral role for their respective sides in the defensive phase. They operate in an aggressive counter-pressing system. Flick is also an admirer of a similar defensive technique, albeit with nuance. Sane and Werner will be expected to be involved in the first wave of pressure when out of possession.

Sane presses in space between center-back and full-back. His duty in this zone is to protect the inside passes while blocking the channel for the full-back. When the opponents successfully move past the first two waves of pressure to move beyond the mid-thirds, Sane is quick to pull back. He manifests a tireless work rate. Sane has averaged one interception in every two games based on the data from the previous two seasons. He also managed to win 81% of his tackles in the same timeframe.

Werner, diversely, would not be a major support in the defensive phase. In comparison with Sane, Werner takes 632 minutes to make an interception. His tackle success rate is also lower than Sane’s, slightly shy of 60%. However, he does apply more pressure in the attacking and mid-thirds of the pitch.

For every 90 minutes played, Werner has been involved 13 times in a pressing action. Much of this can be attributed to his position as a forward. He constantly aims to put pressure on the opposition’s center-backs as Leipzig keeps a compact structure. His strategy involves denying a clear passing channel in the central area and force the opposition wide or long.

Bayern would gain an added advantage to use Werner’s services in such situations. The partnership of Werner and Lewandowski upfront could facilitate a higher number of chances being converted during a counter-press. Due to this trait of Werner, it is understandable why Werner is one of the top targets for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the summer transfer window.

Sane and Werner are the most coveted German talents of the current age. Any club across the globe would love to get their signatures on a contract. As for Bayern, only one can fit the bill and their shrewd transfer strategy.

Next. Bayern Munich- Assessing midfield options for 2020/21 season. dark

In my opinion, Leroy Sane would be a better option to sign at this moment. Bayern Munich displayed an uncanny charisma in the past decade. The legendary duo of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery were a force to reckon with. Sane’s abilities and his playing style would aptly compliment Bayern and his national counterpart, Serge Gnabry.