The case for starting Leroy Sané against Union Berlin

On Wednesday night, Bayern were at their ruthless best, sweeping Mainz 05 away in the DFB-Pokal, with four first half goals. Jamal Musiala’s first ever senior hat-trick rightly took the headlines, but Leroy Sané also scored his second goal in as many games.

These two goals were the winger’s first goals since April 30, when he scored against Real Madrid. Aside from that goal, they were his first two goals since October 28 last year. He is clearly a man full of confidence at the moment.

The 28-year-old underwent groin surgery in July, so his start to the season took a while to get going. Bayern were careful to not rush him back from injury, and Germany wise to not call him up and allow him optimal time to recover. His return to action has been very well managed by everyone involved.

Leroy Sané finding his form at the right time for Bayern Munich

Vincent Kompany has drip fed Sané’s return to the team, with cameos off the bench against Werder Bremen, Bayer Leverkusen, and VfB Stuttgart. He then once again came off the bench in the win at VfL Bochum, and scored a superb curling effort from the edge of the box.

He was rewarded with a start against Mainz in the DFB-Pokal, and once again took his opportunity, with another goal. Alphonso Davies slipped him in during a dangerous break, and Sané wrapped the ball across goal and into the bottom corner.

It was the type of finish from someone full of confidence. A player lacking confidence would have perhaps taken a touch or two, or passed it to a team-mate to put the burden on them. Sané finished with aplomb.

The fact Sané played 90 minutes in the win over Mainz is interesting. Alponso Davies, Kim Min-jae, Harry Kane, and Musiala were all given some rest, but Sané played on. This could mean two things: He isn’t going to start at the weekend, or 2) Kompany is trying to improve his match sharpness so he is ready to start a second game in a few days.

Either way, Sané would really deserve to start the game. The idea of Olise on the right flank, Musiala in the “number ten” role, Sané on the left, and Kane up front – is extremely exciting.

When you have a confident Sané, you would be a fool not to use him. We saw in the first two or three months of last season just what he is capable of. It is important that Kompany does not let this go to waste, and starts him against Union Berlin this weekend.