Leroy Sané Makes It Easy for His Critics. One Person Remains Loyal: Julian Nagelsmann. Justifiably?

Leroy Sané is making it easy for his critics. While his performances at the World Cup have been passable, the German winger is expected to deliver more given his considerable talent. His contributions against the first opponent, Curaçao, were notably absent, as he failed to score a single goal in the team's 7-1 victory.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann, however, remains a staunch defender of Sané, a loyalty that has been described as "Nibelungentreue" – a term implying unwavering devotion, even to the point of shared downfall. Nagelsmann argues that public perception unfairly "pigeonholes" players, leading to disproportionately harsh judgments. He believes the current environment fosters an overly negative reaction to any perceived shortcomings.

Nagelsmann's defense is not without merit; Sané has not played poorly in the tournament, fulfilling his assigned tasks adequately. Yet, the question lingers: do his performances truly warrant his consistent inclusion in the starting lineup? For a player possessing such exceptional speed and skill, fans and pundits alike anticipate more than just fulfilling the minimum requirements. The decisive moment – a game-changing assist or goal – that propels the team forward seems to be what is truly expected, and perhaps what is missing.

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There is a psychological problem that we put people in boxes and then everything that goes even slightly in that direction is judged many times worse. We are in this state right now.