Follow Man City vs Tottenham in our dedicated live blog on the Sky Sports app and SkySports.com on Wednesday evening
Wednesday 17 April 2019 20:16, UK
Leroy Sane was at risk of becoming Manchester City's forgotten star, but can the winger play a huge part in their quest for the quadruple?
One of the first names on the teamsheet last season, Sane has found opportunities harder to come by this campaign, and in February and March played just 425 out of a possible 1,170 minutes as City progressed in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, as well as winning the Carabao Cup.
The winger came on in the 89th minute of City's Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat by Tottenham last week, but has started the last two Premier League matches and looks refreshed as Pep Guardiola's side prepare for one of their biggest game of the season against Spurs on Wednesday night.
Sane's attitude was criticised by Toni Kroos after being left out of Germany's World Cup squad, but the feeling is Guardiola is looking to rouse rather than isolate.
So has Guardiola sparked the German into life at the right time? And what was the issue in the first place?
"He knows the reason why he hasn't played lately," said Guardiola last week. "We spoke often with him - myself and my people - on and off the pitch and we want the best.
"Of course there is competition from the other ones, and in some specific games we need it, and in some specific games I prefer a type of player to have more control."
Guardiola does not have a shortage of options, either. Raheem Sterling is on the form of his life, Riyad Mahrez started against Spurs and Bernardo Silva has transformed from a central midfielder to a right winger.
Sane has not started against top opposition since his winning goal against Liverpool on January 3, but Wednesday may be the night Guardiola puts his trust in last season's PFA Young Player of the Year.
Surprisingly, this has been Sane's best season at City in terms of goal and assist return.
Sane has been directly involved in 32 goals for City in all competitions this season, just one shy of his tally for last season, and behind only Sergio Aguero (37) and Sterling (34).
But importantly, Sane is either scoring or assisting every 78 minutes compared to every 110 minutes in 2017/18 and 173 minutes in 2016/17.
This would not have gone unnoticed by Guardiola. The statistical proof that City performances improve when Sane starts will not have escaped his notice either. City's win percentage, average goals for, possession, shots per game, crosses per game and passing accuracy are all up with Sane starting compared with him not starting.
Whether an on-field or off-field issue, Sane's reduced playing time would not have been a decision taken lightly by Guardiola.
"Because of him I improved a lot and got to this level," Sane said last month. "He always tries to make all of us better every day. That is his main goal. We work always on our weaknesses."
Sane will hope he has worked hard enough to be given a chance to prolong City's Champions League quest, starting on Wednesday.
Follow Man City vs Tottenham in our dedicated live blog on the Sky Sports app and SkySports.com on Wednesday evening
Pep Guardiola says winning the Champions League would pale in comparison to another Premier League title with Manchester City.
"I know people say I came here to win the Champions League, but I didn't come here to win the Champions League, honestly," Guardiola said on Tuesday.
"I came here to play the way my team has been playing in the last 20 months. That is why I came here - to play the way I want to play and of course I want to win the Champions League."
This will be another tight affair. Man City have to score with another couple of goals and see if they can flex their muscles and get something.
I see Raheem Sterling and his pace, it is just brilliant to watch. His goal against Crystal Palace, for example. The ball from Kevin De Bruyne combined with the run inside the man from Sterling was just sensational. I hope for their sake they start Sterling, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero once again, as these can damage Tottenham, who will sit in and play on the counter-attack with Lucas Moura's pace.
He scored a great hat-trick at the weekend. It is whether they are good enough to keep the ball. Harry Winks will come back in and play with Moussa Sissoko while Christian Eriksen will play further up.
Sometimes you can force the pass in these games and the key to this game is De Bruyne. He has the determination to find the pass and he is good without the ball as well. Man City will go through - it will go right to the wire, but City are still holding the edge at this moment. Even at the weekend, they conceded to make it 2-1 but had the final push to get another.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
