Leroy Sane shines, helping Germany defeat Luxembourg 2-0

It took Leroy Sane just eighty minutes on the pitch to give a short but convincing answer: he is still the type of player who can make a difference in a moment. In Germany’s 2-0 win over Luxembourg, Sane assisted the opening goal and contributed to the build-up to the winning goal, thereby dispelling the doubts that surrounded the match.

Pressure, message and timing

Before the match, Julian Nagelsmann faced many questions about his decision to call up Sane. He said bluntly: “I decide whether he takes advantage of the opportunity or not,” while admitting that Sane “doesn’t have too many chances left.” In the context of increasing criticism, the Galatasaray player’s return to the German national team has become a test of his mettle.

The key moment: a burst, a touch, a pass

Early in the second half, Sane read the situation and ran in behind the Luxembourg defence. A neat touch and a right-footed cross put Nick Woltemade in a good position to open the scoring. That’s what Sane does best: win one-on-one situations, exploit space and make the right decision at the end.

Not stopping there, Sane continued to contribute to the second goal with a smart pass inside, starting the move that sealed the 2-0 result. When the team was not too outstanding, the effectiveness of his few touches became different.

Tactical angle: when Sane plays more pragmatically

At twenty-nine, Sane is no longer entirely dependent on speed. He is more alert in his choices, prioritizing simple but effective solutions. Against Luxembourg, the actions were optimized: choosing a starting point behind the defender, taking the first touch to open the angle, and making the decisive pass with enough power and range. That chain of decisions helped Germany decipher the deadlock without needing to resort to complicated dribbling.

There is room for improvement, though: not many shots, some central handling is inaccurate and the ground duels won rate is only 29%.

Selected statistics

• 79 minutes of play
• 1 assist, 2 chances created
• 30/35 accurate passes (86%)
• 46 touches, including 4 in the opponent's penalty area
• 1 shot on target, the ball hit the crossbar
• Never lost the ball

Response in the context of Germany's need for decision-makers

Sane has faced doubts many times, from before the 2022 World Cup to now. The match against Luxembourg may have passed quickly for most people, but for Sane, it was an important milestone: he made a mark when the team needed it most, exactly what Nagelsmann requires from an individual who can change the game.

Germany have won four straight games, keeping three clean sheets. Next up is Slovakia, who beat Germany in Bratislava. When decisive moments are needed, the performance against Luxembourg reminded Sane that he is still one of the few players capable of turning a game around with a single move.

CTVX