Bundesliga News

Kovac on Renato Sanches:
'We knew that he can play football'

By Rune Gjerulff   @runegjerulff

Niko Kovac says it's not always easy for Renato Sanches at Bayern München and is happy the midfielder took his chance last night.
Renato Sanches.
Renato Sanches.Photo: Rufus46/CC-by-SA 3.0
Last night, Renato Sanches made his first appearance for Bayern München this season away against his former club Benfica in the Champions League. The German champions won 2-0 with Sanches scoring the second goal - his first for the club.


After the game, Bayern coach Niko Kovac said he was pleased for Sanches who has found it difficult to live up to the expectations at Bayern since joining from Benfica in 2016.

"It makes me happy for Renato Sanches and of course for us as a team. The chances of being a regular at FC Bayern are not always very good. You have to rotate, and today he got his chance after Thiago fell out," Kovac told Sky after the game and added:

"We knew that he can play football, but you have to keep in mind that this is a young player who has left his homeland and family for a foreign country. Acclimatization is simply not easy."

Sanches was well-received by the fans of his former club and said playing the game was a 'special' experience for him.

"I'm so happy to have returned to Lisbon and played this game today. It was so special for me, and I want to thank the fans of Benfica for their support. I'm very happy that I scored a goal," Sanches said.

Renato Sanches, 21, has made 27 appearances for Bayern München since joining from Benfica in 2016. He spent last season on loan at Swansea.


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