Wednesday 22 March 2017 20:06, UK
Harry Kane may have been injured but Dele Alli inspired Tottenham to victory on Sunday against Southampton. England boss Gareth Southgate will be hoping the Spurs midfielder can do the same thing for the national team in Germany on Wednesday.
The spotlight will be thrust upon Alli in Dortmund, where England will be aiming for a fourth consecutive away win against Germany - a run going back to 1987.
However, while Alli has been the Premier League's stand-out midfielder this season, another is rapidly coming to the fore, after a difficult start to life in England.
Leroy Sane was the third most expensive Premier League signing last summer (after Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Sane's Manchester City team-mate John Stones), although his start to life in Manchester was underwhelming.
Sane started just seven of the opening 32 games in all competitions, recording only a single goal and two assists to his name.
His talent was unquestionable, but a £37m price-tag inevitably drew high expectations. But, following his return from a muscular injury in January, Sane saw a change in fortunes for both himself and City:
Since returning to the starting line-up against Tottenham on January 21, Sane has made more appearances and started more games than anyone else for the club, and his return of six goals is bettered only by Sergio Aguero.
He's already shown his 'big-game' potential by scoring in Schalke's Champions League win at Real Madrid in March 2015 - his second senior goal - and he'll be ready for the challenge which awaits on Wednesday night.
Alli's return in his first Premier League season was even more impressive. Last season's PFA Young Player of the Year became the youngest player in Premier League history to reach 10 goals (aged 20 years, 21 days).
And to the delight of Tottenham fans, the 20-year-old's goalscoring exploits have been surpassed this season, dismissing any murmurs of a 'second season syndrome' for the MK Dons youth product.
City have lost just one of their last 13 games in all competitions - a run that coincides with Sane's emergence as a first-team regular. Similarly, Alli's Spurs side have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League games - he has started all 13 games, scoring 11 goals in the process.
Despite remaining unbeaten since that fateful night against Iceland in Nice, draws against Spain and Slovenia in England's last three internationals have been far from convincing. Replicating club form for England has eluded many top Premier League performers in recent years and, for Alli, last summer's struggles in France will have been a sobering experience.
Germany, on the other hand, have yet to concede a goal since their Euro 2016 semi-final elimination, scoring an average of three goals per game.
Sane's fledgling international career has so far earned him four caps, three of which have been defeats. He was part of Joachim Low's Euro 2016 squad, his last cap coming as a sub in the semi-final defeat against France.
Wednesday is the 31st meeting between the nations, and the first to be played in Dortmund. The previous contest took place a year ago this week - England winning 3-2 in Berlin thanks to Eric Dier's stoppage-time header.
The perception is that there is no such thing as a friendly when Germany face England. For two of Europe's hottest young properties, looking to showcase their talents on the world stage, that perception is certainly a reality.
Sky customers can now upgrade to Sky Sports and get 12 months for just £18 per month. Upgrade now!
