"Mood killer" for Sadio Mané: Nagelsmann explains what problem he sees with the Bayern star

Created: 09/13/2022, 10:19 am

By: Nico Scheck

Sadio Mané should appear more confident on the pitch, demands coach Julian Nagelsmann.

© Sven Hoppe/dpa

The duel between FC Bayern and FC Barcelona is also the showdown between the super strikers.

But now, of all times, Sadio Mané is experiencing the first mini-crisis.

Munich – Sadio Mané is particularly in focus this Tuesday evening.

When FC Bayern Munich welcomes FC Barcelona in the Champions League for the second day of group play, the duel between the two super strikers is heralded.

Robert Lewandowski, Munich's goal guarantee for years, is returning to the Allianz Arena with his new club.

And it is, at least so it seems, primarily up to his successor Mané to ensure that nobody complains about Lewa's absence in the Bayern ensemble after the game.

High expectations for Sadio Mané.

But the new signing from Liverpool has set the bar high with his furious start with the German record champions.

Five goals in the first six competitive games were an announcement.

But now, of all times, when the endurance test with Barca and Lewandowski is pending, the Senegalese is in crisis.

Goalless for three games and a declining form curve, Sadio Mané struggles with a poor completion rate.

His trainer Julian Nagelsmann has a clue.

Sadio Mané is missing "a can opener"

Where is the momentum from the start of the season?

"I think he's missing a can opener," Nagelsmann explained before Bayern's game against Barca.

Sadio Mané had "many situations where he was offside, where he scored offside goals, which are a bit of a mood killer when you're happy about a goal".

The clipper has already had five offside goals this season.

In addition, Mané is very “critical, sometimes maybe too critical.

He thinks a tad too much," emphasized the Bayern coach.

His advice to the 30-year-old: "He's welcome to come across as positively arrogant.

I have already praised his unselfish nature, but too much of it is not good either.”

Nagelsmann is certain: Mané has “not yet reached his peak”

Nagelsmann also emphasized: "I don't see his performance critically.

I don't think he's reached his peak yet.” And he's already looking forward to Mané's peak performance.

FCB sports director Hasan Salihamidzic recently expressed similar criticism.

Sadio Mané is sometimes too self-critical, he explained on Sunday in the "double pass".

Then he had to “get away from”.

Now, on Tuesday against Barca, all eyes will be on Sadio Mané and Lewandowski again.

Mané should definitely be fit, as he was rested against VfB Stuttgart (2-2) at the weekend.

The winger was in the Bayern squad, but was only substituted on shortly before the end.

(nc)