Manchester City: How Leroy Sané will change the trajectory of the season

Manchester City’s season appears to be in a tailspin after another Premier League defeat, but the return of electric German winger Leroy Sané could change everything.

After suffering an ACL injury in Manchester City’s Community Shield win over Liverpool, losing Leroy Sané for an extended amount of time did as much damage to City’s season as losing Aymeric Laporte, even if we didn’t realize it yet.

For as much media attention has been given to City’s defensive woes and Laporte’s absence, losing Sané has been just as detrimental to City’s attack. With a lack of competition, Raheem Sterling’s form has seriously dipped in recent weeks, and the unique threat the German winger poses is different than anything else City have in their arsenal.

In the eyes of many, City’s season is spiraling, but just as Real Madrid overcame difficult domestic campaigns to achieve European glory in the past, Sané just could be the catalyst to spark a Champions League-winning campaign in Manchester.

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When fit and at his best, the German remains an integral part of this side, and one who can transform the face of a struggling City attack, which has been held to consecutive clean sheets for the first time in the Pep Guardiola era.

Sané is nearing a return to full fitness, and although City want to remain careful, he will need to play a key part in at least the second leg of the round of 16 tie against Real Madrid. Although he remains the subject of constant transfer rumors and links to Bayern Munich, he remains a key part of this team.

City are looking for an answer to what has been a difficult domestic season. The goal is clear: win the Champions League. And the return of Sané could just be the key that leads the team to ultimate glory in 2019/20.