Football
Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC 7y

Leroy Sane 'couldn't really breathe' through his nose before operation

LOS ANGELES -- Leroy Sane has told ESPN FC that he was struggling to breathe during games for Manchester City last season because of a nose problem which forced him to miss Germany's Confederations Cup triumph.

The 21-year-old, currently in Los Angeles with Pep Guardiola's squad for City's International Champions Cup campaign, underwent surgery to correct the sinus issue at the end of last season following discussions with Guardiola and Germany coach Joachim Low.

Despite the problem, Sane ended last season with an impressive nine goals during his first campaign in English football.

But the City winger admits it was crucial for him to have the operation in order to be fully fit this season.

"I missed the Confederations Cup because I had to have surgery on my nose," Sane told ESPN FC. "I couldn't really breathe through it.

"I was working out when I could do it [surgery] and I spoke with the national coach and also Pep Guardiola.

"It was a problem. Sometimes I would feel it during the games, it was really hard to breathe for me, but now it's fine."

Having been sidelined with a hamstring injury at the start of last season following his £37 million transfer from Schalke, Sane took time to settle at City, with his first goal not coming until his 13th appearance.

And Sane admits that the support of his teammates and Guardiola helped him through his difficult early months in the Premier League.

"At the beginning, I had a little bit of problems to know the league and how they play," he said. "It was completely different for me, but the team helped me and the coach too.

"They gave me a lot to improve and be comfortable on the pitch. Everybody tried to help me on the pitch and off the pitch."

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