Thomas Tuchel doesn’t mind Leroy Sané’s frustration at being subbed off in Bayern Munich win over Mainz

During Bayern Munich’s 3-1 victory over Mainz, Thomas Tuchel substituted Leroy Sané with Mathys Tel and Jamal Musiala with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the 77th minute. The decision was made to add variety to Bayern’s attack and maintain pressure on Mainz, who were trying to stage a comeback.

Sané appeared visibly frustrated when his number was shown on the substitution board. This is not the first time he has expressed discontent when taken off the field. Considering his exceptional performances this season, it’s rare for him to be substituted unless he needs some rest.

After the match, Tuchel explained his tactical reasoning behind the double substitution. He acknowledged Sané’s dissatisfaction but emphasized that he wanted to introduce different attributes to counter Mainz’s threat from set-pieces, hence the inclusion of Tel and Choupo-Moting for their height and physicality. Tuchel stated, “He’s never satisfied with being taken off. But he was not angry, he just always wants to play until the end. He always wants to score and assist—and I really don’t like taking him off.”

Tuchel’s decision to make the substitutions was also influenced by the upcoming Champions League match against Galatasaray, which required strategic planning. As the clash would take place in a challenging environment, Tuchel wanted to give his number 10 a rest. The atmosphere at RAMS Park can be intense, with hostile home fans, making it mentally draining for the players. Although Tuchel didn’t explicitly mention this in his explanation, it played a significant role in his thought process.