The exceptional Sadio Mane is the perfect fit for the No.9-less system Bayern Munich are playing with right now following Robert Lewandowski’s exit. In Robert Lewandowski, Bayern signed a genuine star of the world, one whose versatility he can play wide or slightly in the attack, which would please Julian Nagelsmann. With star forward Lewandowski making a move after eight years at Bayern Munich, perhaps to Barcelona, once the Catalans have unlocked additional potential funds from financial institutions via future merchandise sales and TV money. Sadio Manes can help manager Julian Nagelsmann ease Bayern away from relying on the irreplaceable Pole and into a more fluid attacking system. The hope, the expectation, is Bayern Munich can find the 50 goals a season that Lewandowski has scored from elsewhere with Sadio Mane in the middle.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann has publicly indicated that Bayern Munich‘s main option to adapt without anyone close to The District is playing two strikers instead of the front three with the only centre-forward. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann brought up Lewandowski when discussing one of Bayern Munich’s newest signings, defender Matthijs de Ligt (who, only recently arriving to join the squad, also scored in his debut game through a header). While there is still some optimism the Rekordmeister can replace star striker Robert Lewandowski, the substitute off-field, Sadio Mane, will provide a suitable replacement for the names of the stars if the striker does play well and fits in their attack. This level of predictability is the compromise most clubs would take in return for a prolific scorer like Robert Lewandowski. Nagelsmann has repeatedly lamented that Barcelona has almost 40 goals to replace and that it would be no simple task.
Between new signings Sadio Mane, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman (one of the most prominent players Bayern has, says Nagelsmann), Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Marcel Sabitzer, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Leon Goretzka (the latter of whom is ruled out for 6-7 weeks following knee surgery), there is a reasonably scary core. Such figures would have convinced Bayern Munich could successfully launch a new era after Uli Hoeness, after ten straight league titles and even after star striker Lewandowski, but instead, with Kahn, Salihamidzic, Nagelsmann and Sadio Mane.
His speed is incredible, as he utilizes his strength in the early steps to break out in speed, accelerating and leaving opponents in the dust. His agility and spatial awareness enable him to rush in behind the defensive line at the appropriate time, pace, direction, and position. This will help Bayern as this type of play will suit their wingers, allowing Mane to get accessible and into the position of scoring. Julian Nagelsmann can utilize Mane in the front and get more goals out of him, and there are many times that he provides assists to other players.
