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Bayern: Naglesmann backs Mane to bounce back from ‘dissatisfying’ start

Sadio Mane at Bayern
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The Senegal international has struggled to reach his best form since joining Bayern earlier this summer.

Julian Nagelsmann has no doubt that Sadio Mane will turn bounce back from his below-par start to the new season.

Mane started by scoring three goals in his first three Bundesliga appearances. However, the Senegalese failed to make an impact in Bayern’s three consecutive draws that came after that.

Naglesmann subbed off Mane after a poor display against Barcelona on Wednesday. However, he is sure Mane’s ‘self-reflection’ will lead him back to his best form.

“It’s quite normal that you are dissatisfied at first when things are not going well,” Nagelsmann said on Friday. “He does a lot of self reflection and knows when he’s played well and when he’s maybe not played so well.

“He will produce his best again, He has my full backing and will score and assist plenty more goals for us.”

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Gravenberch and midfield competition

Bayern also signed Ryan Gravenberch this summer, adding him to their star-studded midfield line.

The former Ajax star has failed to establish his place in Bayern’s midfield. However, his recent performances have convinced Nagelsmann that he will soon earn more game time at Allianz Arena.

“He has played too few games for his abilities, which is also due to the competition,” Nagelsmann said. “First of all, you need a basic structure, which we had with Sabi [Marcel Sabitzer] and Josh [Kimmich].

“Now Leon [Goretzka] is back, who did very well against Barca. He has a lot of competition, he can also play further forward, but the competition is not small. But, he is a young player who needs acclimatisation time.

“Defensively, he still has to take a few steps. That’s why he plays a bit less. We need a good balance in the position. He knows that defensively he still has to work a bit harder.

“Sometimes he struggles a bit too much for me with mistakes. That’s why he always has a second of thought in counter-pressing, where he is annoyed that the ball is gone. But he has already developed. I’m sure he’ll play a lot with us.”

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