After 109 days of absence, Sadio Mané played again last weekend during the victory of Bayern against Union Berlin (3-0) in Bundesliga. In a long interview granted to Bild, the Senegalese came back on his period of unavailability and his meeting with CR7 in Spain.
Finally there is light at the end of the tunnel for Sadio Mané. The Bayern Munich striker was out for almost 109 days with a knee injury that kept him out of the Qatar World Cup with Senegal, but he made his return to action last weekend. He entered the game in the 63rd minute to the applause of the many fans present at the Allianz Arena. The two-time African Ballon d'Or winner could even have been a double assist man if Thomas Müller and Alfonso Davies had converted his offerings.
With the return of the Senegalese, Bayern can look forward with more confidence to the second leg of their Round of 16 match against PSG (1-0 for the Bavarians in the first leg) on March 8. Sadio Mané is all focused. "It's been a long time, but now I feel much better. Standing on the field with my teammates and having the ball at my feet again makes me happy. The club has taken very good care of me. The first game against PSG was too early for me, but the second game was always on my mind. We controlled the first game well. The 1-0 away win puts us in a good situation, although in Munich we have to be incredibly careful against Paris. I watched the game on TV with my friends. I am very nervous and I make a lot of comments when I watch games on TV. But I had confidence in my teammates. Even when Kylian Mbappé came in. He is a great player who had an influence on the game, but our defenders can stop him, "he said in an interview with Bild, relayed by Eleven World.
Mané surprised by the intensity of the Bundesliga
Having played for Southampton (2014-2016) and Liverpool (2016-2022), Sadio Mané knows better than anyone the intensity and rigor of the Premier League. However, the African champion confided that he was surprised by the physical level of the Bundesliga. "The championship is very tight and balanced, look at the ranking. The atmosphere is great. Why would anyone say no to the Bundesliga? I don't think so. People often say that the Premier League is harder and more physical," he says. A lot of people think so. On the pitch here, I've noticed: 'Wow, the players here are really strong' - the Bundesliga is at least as physical as the Premier League. Plus, a lot of teams are pressing hard. I'm having a lot of fun. I'm happy with my choice, happy to have ended up in Munich."
Sadio Mané congratulated by Cristiano Ronaldo
A choice for which he was congratulated by the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo. "I met Cristiano Ronaldo in Mallorca before this season after the end of my move. He congratulated me and said: 'A great club! This is a big step for you!" he confided.
The situation of his former club Liverpool
Would Liverpool be only 7th in the Premier League if Sadio Mané was still there? In any case, one thing is sure, the Senegalese number 10 misses terribly his former club who are having a complicated season. But for the one who played for six seasons in the colors of the Reds, no doubt Liverpool will soon be back. "Liverpool will be back. I am convinced that they will overcome this situation. They have had many injuries and difficult tests, but Jürgen Klopp is definitely the right man," he assured. He will bring Liverpool back from this season, the players love him. Of course not being at the World Cup hurt me. I was sad, but it happens. I had to accept the difficult situation and stay optimistic. It was not easy mentally, but this experience can help me in the future."
