BERLIN: Kingsley Coman is expected to return from injury for Bayern Munich this weekend, while head coach Julian Nagelsmann is backing Leroy Sane to rediscover his best form on the left wing for the Bundesliga giants.
Coman sat out last Sunday’s 3-2 win over Cologne with a knock, but should return for Saturday’s home league fixture against Hertha Berlin, who are bottom of the table after losing both of their opening games.
“He (Coman) is fit again, he has no more problems,” Nagelsmann said Friday.
The Bayern boss also revealed that Lucas Hernandez has been able to train for the first time after an operation on his left knee, “which made me very happy.”
However, Nagelsmann says the France defender is “not yet an option” for Saturday.
The head coach gave nothing away when asked about rumors that Bayern are trying to sign defender Matthias Ginter and midfielder Jonas Hoffmann from rivals Moenchengladbach before the transfer window closes Tuesday.
However, Nagelsmann, 34, has given his backing to Sane and demanded Bayern fans stop aiming whistles of discontent at the winger, whose form can be erratic.
“We just have to leave him alone for a bit now, then you will see that he will go through the roof soon enough,” said Nagelsmann.
Sane was named in the Germany squad on Friday for next week’s World Cup qualifiers.
In Coman’s absence, Sane scored a goal and set up two more from the left wing in Bayern’s 12-0 thumping of fifth-tier minnows Bremer in the German Cup.
Nagelsmann says Sane is better off playing on the left, having often been used on the right last season to accommodate Coman.
“On the right, Leroy often wants the ball at his feet, but then has to play with his back to goal — which doesn’t play to his best qualities,” explained Nagelsmann.
“When he plays on the left, he has a bit more depth and the game often opens up in front of him.”
The stats back up Nagelsmann.
During spells at Schalke, Manchester City and Bayern, Sane has scored 51 goals and created 60 more in 160 games from the left wing.
In contrast, he has managed 17 goals and 14 assists in 81 games on the right.
Coman to return for Bayern, Nagelsmann backs Sane to regain form
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Coman to return for Bayern, Nagelsmann backs Sane to regain form
- Kingsley Coman sat out last Sunday's 3-2 win over Cologne with a knock
- "He (Coman) is fit again, he has no more problems," Bayern Munich’s coach Julian Nagelsmann
Barca suffer title defense blow in Girona derby defeat
- Girona ended the game with 10 men when Roca scythed down Yamal to cut short a desperate Barca attack deep in stoppage time
GIRONA, Spain: Spanish champions Barcelona fell to a damaging 2-1 defeat at Girona on Monday to leave them trailing Real Madrid by two points at the top of La Liga.
Los Blancos beat Real Sociedad on Saturday to overtake the Catalans and Hansi Flick’s side could not defeat Girona in an gripping derby clash to reclaim the lead.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal missed a penalty for Barcelona, who took the lead through defender Pau Cubarsi just before the hour mark.
However goals from Thomas Lemar and Fran Beltran helped Girona, 12th, mount an impressive comeback.
“We have to improve because they can’t score these two goals against us,” Cubarsi told DAZN.
“We have to be self-critical, we didn’t play a great game, we have to improve, but now we have to rest and charge our batteries.”
Both sides were attacking with abandon in the first half and it was remarkable they went in goalless at the break.
Raphinha whipped a shot narrowly wide and Yamal fired straight at Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga when through on goal.
At the other end Ukrainian striker Vladyslav Vanat missed a slew of presentable opportunities.
Ferran Torres fired a good chance wide for Barca and Raphinha drove against the upright as Flick’s side pushed for the opener.
They should have got it when Dani Olmo was clumsily felled in the box by Daley Blind, but Yamal hit the post from the spot.
Barcelona eventually took the lead through Pau Cubarsi’s header from Jules Kounde’s cross after 59 minutes, but Girona swiftly pulled level.
Thomas Lemar slipped away from Eric Garcia and turned home Vanat’s pass from close range.
It shifted the momentum in Girona’s favor and Barca were left relying on some stunning saves from goalkeeper Joan Garcia to keep them afloat.
The stopper denied Ivan Martin and Vanat with a remarkable double save, and then thwarted Joel Roca with his leg.
Barca could not stem the tide and Girona forced their way in front after 87 minutes, with Fran Beltran stroking home from the edge of the area.
The visitors, who last week made an official complaint to the Spanish football federation over perceived refereeing inconsistencies, were left fuming after Kounde was fouled by Claudio Echeverri in the build-up and it went unpunished.
Girona ended the game with 10 men when Roca scythed down Yamal to cut short a desperate Barca attack deep in stoppage time.
It did the job and the hosts celebrated wildly at the end with their jubilant fans at Montilivi, as Flick demanded explanations from the referee.
“It seemed like a foul (on Kounde) to me, but we shouldn’t focus on decisions we can’t control,” said Barca defender Gerard Martin.
