Leroy Sane accepts expectations are low for Germany ahead of Euro 2024 but says parallels can be drawn with what happened in 2006.
Germany hosted the World Cup 17 years ago, and went into the tournament in an equally dismal run of form, only to reach the semi-finals after being carried along on a wave of support from the home fans.
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Die Mannschaft have endured a woeful 2023, winning just three of 11 games – a situation that resulted in the sacking of Hansi Flick in September and the appointment of Julian Nagelsmann as his replacement – after also suffering a group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.
Bayern Munich winger Sane told fcbayern.com: “We obviously all sense that the euphoria isn’t really there yet among our fans – for understandable reasons.
“We all want to do everything to make the tournament a similar success to the home World Cup in 2006, when the sporting situation also wasn’t the best in the run-up. I’m sure the euphoria will arrive for the first game.
“It’s our task as a team to start the tournament well so that the fans can then carry us through the matches.
“Firstly it’s just about getting off to a positive start in the group stage and not thinking ahead about the semi-final or final. Taking it one game at a time and developing an energy – that’s the way to do it.”
2024 promises to be a big year for @leroy_sane ????
He spoke to us about EURO 2024, Thomas Tuchel, Pep Guardiola and more ????#MiaSanMia #Säbener51
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) December 28, 2023
Sane has enjoyed an impressive first half of the season with Bayern sitting four points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen albeit with a game in hand.
The 28-year-old knows, however, that the scrutiny at a club like Bayern means there can be no let up.
He added: “The pressure at a club like FC Bayern is much too high to be able to rest on your own performances.
“On top of that, there’s still a long way to go this season. Up to now it’s gone quite well, but I also want to be on it when we head into the crucial period in the Champions League and the league in the spring.”
Sane has struck up a productive relationship with Harry Kane and is enjoying working with the England captain.
“I realised very quickly with Harry that it could be a really good fit. I even had that feeling before our first game together,” he said.
“I followed his career closely in the previous years and also played against him in the Premier League. He’s been one of the best number nines in the world for many years, with an incredible understanding of the game. He knows exactly what makes me tick – and vice versa. I also really like him as a person off the pitch.”
