Deniz Undav and others condemn German fan jeering of Leroy Sané: “We must stand together!” | OneFootball

German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann and game-winning goal-scorer Deniz Undav have both responded to the boos and whistles German national team starter Leroy Sané received last night in Stuttgart. Sané – who did appear a vital part of the German squad as recently as November – has been struggling for both club and country lately. The Galatasaray professional turned in a poor performance for Germany against Switzerland on Friday. 

A recent Kicker Poll revealed that only 28 percent of German fans want Sané in the World Cup squad. Germany U21 talents Tom Bischof (20) and Said El Mala (19) were preferred to the 30-year-old Sané. The rise of 18-year-old Bayern Munich mega talent Lennart Karl also has much to do with the fact that Sané is now considered “yesterday’s news”. When Sané entered last night’s match in the 78th-minute, the MHP-Arena stadium crowd jeered him. 

Sané set up Undav’s game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Ghana.

Stuttgart keeper Alexander Nübel also responded to the boos in the mixed zone.

Nagelsmann, Undav, and Nübel condemn booing of Leroy Sané

Undav had actually already completed his interview with German public broadcaster ARD before he himself asked for the microphone back. Undav thanked the fans in the stadium of his Bundesliga club for supporting him, yet felt compelled to make a statement on Sané. The Stuttgart attacker – always a vehement backer of his teammates – made a direct appeal to German fans. 

“I ask that the next time Leroy or another player comes on, people don’t boo,” the 29-year-old said. “You should stand behind the team. It’s important that we, as a team, form a united front with the fans. I hope it won’t be like that at the [World Cup] tournament. I thought that was a shame, because ultimately we’re one team. Leroy is just as much a part of us as any other team member. I hope they’ll support him.”

“I directly addressed the fans before and found myself caught in a shitstorm because of it,” Nagelsmann added at the post-match press conference. “Generally, I don’t like it when our players get booed before they’ve even had their first chance. I don’t think that’s fair, but it is what it is.”

“That’s total bullshit,” Nübel said when asked about Sané in the mixed zone. “We want to head to America together as one nation. We can’t be divided. We need to foster a positive spirit together. It’s such that I can’t comprehend the booing.“

GGFN | Peter Weis