German legend Lothar Matthaus has heaped praise on Leroy Sane, and said he is a unique player who can help Pep Guardiola sink Schalke in the Champions League.
Man City take on Schalke in Germany tonight in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash, and are expected to progress through to the quarter-finals.
And Matthaus has singled out Sane for praise after the German bounced back from not making the World Cup squad.
Talking in the Sun Matthaus said, “We see Leroy Sane every week in the Premier League and when he plays in Europe.
“It’s clear Germany missed him at the World Cup, because he is a special player. He can make the difference in any game. He did that when he was at Schalke — and many times since he moved to City.
“Sane is a unique player, who has all the attributes he needs in his position. Pace, intelligence, the ability to run both on and off the ball — and then to score goals.
“I think Leroy is the perfect player for Guardiola’s system and style.”
OPINION
Sane didn’t make the Germany squad for the World Cup, which was a big surprise, but has had a fine season with Man City, scoring 12 goals in 32 games and adding 14 assists. However, there are signs that Pep has lost faith in him recently and the 23-year-old has only played 59 minutes in the last three Premier League games. It will be interesting to see whether he plays him tonight but you’d have to think he’s the perfect player who knows the opponents inside out after joining City from Schalke in 2016. Man City should have more than enough to progress past the Germans but won’t want to get complacent in the away leg. We think they’ll secure a narrow victory tonight, with Sane on the pitch. And we think they’ll finish the job with a more comprehensive victory in the home leg in a fortnight’s time. They’re a superior team in almost every area and they’ll be on the ball with the prize of the Champions League getting closer.