Okan Buruk defends Leroy Sane, rejects World Cup scapegoat tag | OneFootball

Okan Buruk has defended Leroy Sane and pushed back at claims the winger should shoulder blame for Germany’s World Cup exit.

According to Goal.com, the Galatasaray coach said he cannot understand the level of scrutiny Sane faces in Germany and argued he is among the last players who should be singled out.

Buruk suggested it has become fashionable to criticise Sane, adding he even finds it almost funny that some now cast him as a scapegoat, and insisted the forward did not have a bad tournament.

After a mixed first season in Istanbul, Julian Nagelsmann kept full faith in Sane in North America. Following Lennart Karl’s injury, Sane started all four matches on the right. His standout moment was an early opener in the 2-1 loss to Ecuador in the final group game, before Germany went out in the round of 32 to Paraguay, after which Nagelsmann resigned.

Buruk said Sane has returned from holiday in a very positive mood, feels comfortable in the group, and the staff are building him up physically for the new season.

Sane joined Galatasaray on a free last summer and has seven goals and nine assists in 43 outings, not always as a starter. The champions begin the Süper Lig on 14 August at home to Corum FK. Whether Sane remains part of Germany’s plans under new head coach Jürgen Klopp remains to be seen. The 30-year-old has 80 caps and 18 goals and is under contract until 2028.

Source: Goal.com