Despite subpar performance, Leroy Sané will get another chance vs. Ghana

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - MARCH 27: Leroy Sane of Germany looks on during the international friendly match between Switzerland and Germany at St. Jakob-Park on March 27, 2026 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images) | Getty Images Imagine that some players are given one look…once chance in their careers and it comes down to that one moment, while others are gifted opportunity after opportunity despite years of underperformance.

Enter the complex relationship of German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann and former Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané. During Germany’s up-and-down 4-3 win over Switzerland, the winger played 63 minutes and — at times — looked detached from what was going on with his squad. Sané lost the ball on eight of his 40 touches and only won two of his seven ground duels.

Maybe worse than all of that was that he did not look like he fit in with how the players arounds him were operating. Yet when Germany submits its starting XI to face Ghana on Monday, Sané’s name will be on the sheet, while other capable players will be stuck o the bench. Why?

Because Nagelsmann just can’t quit Sané. “I don’t always expect two goals and three assists, it’s about the overall picture. He showed glimpses of what he’s capable of.