By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Relief was evident on his face as Galatasaray striker Leroy Sane even managed a smile when he appeared for post-match interviews on the rainy evening at Stade de Luxembourg.
"I am happy to be back. There is a World Cup ahead, and we need to qualify," said the former Bayern Munich and Manchester City forward, adding that he felt no pressure.
While the German team earned a hard-fought 2-0 victory over the underdogs in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification group, the controversial 29-year-old striker was one of the winners and in doing so passed what many saw as a crucial test.
After a first half in which Germany was often trapped and struggled to find space, Sane's upswing after halftime opened the door for victory.
With all eyes on him after national coach Julian Nagelsmann left him out of the September internationals, the man seen as a slipshod genius set up both goals for Newcastle spearhead Nick Woltemade.
"He wasn't here on probation, but to decide the game, and he did just that," the 38-year-old Germany coach said after he had increased the pressure on his forward ahead of the qualifier.
Nagelsmann warned after dropping Sane in September that the winger would not get many more chances and needed to address his concerning inconsistency under his management.
The German coach had earned significant criticism for his public statements. German record international Lothar Matthaeus spoke about "internal issues that should be kept inside," while former Bayern captain Steffan Effenberg complained about "a misleading strategy to trigger motivation."
The "group final" against Slovakia on Monday in Leipzig could prove a far tougher test for the struggling German team and their unsettled forward.
"He received love from me, a lot of trust, now I want him to pay back," the German coach said. Most fans and the media seemed far from excited after Nagelsmann called for Sane. "Not many were pleased," the coach said, admitting he took a risk with his unpredictable striker.
The disputed forward appears to have absorbed his coach's message and understands that there is more to do to create happiness and secure a nomination for the 2026 World Cup. ■