Mane ‘not surprised’ by Bayern’s ‘unbelievable’ season start

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane said he is unsurprised by his side’s record-breaking start to the season, crediting manager Julian Nagelsmann’s intense training sessions and tactical nous.

Bayern have won all three games and their +14 goal difference means they have made the best ever start in Bundesliga history. After three rounds they sit alone atop the table.

Speaking after scoring two goals in his side’s 7-0 demolition of Bochum on Sunday, Mane said Bayern’s preparation showed on the pitch. 

“It’s unbelievable, but it’s not a surprise for me, (given) the way we train” Mane told the Bundesliga website. 

“It’s high level, high intensity… everything we do, it pays off because we work very hard in training.”

The Senegalese, 30, who spent six years under Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, credited Nagelsmann for the side’s dominance. 

“We have a very, very good coach.”

“The ideas he has are just incredible. 

“It’s very difficult for the other teams to cope with us.”

Mane, who moved to Bayern from Liverpool in summer for a reported 32 million euro fee (£27.4m), has scored four goals in four competitive appearances for Munich. 

Mane scored with a first half strike against Bochum and from the penalty spot in the second half. He looks to have secured the role as Bayern’s designated penalty taker. 

While Mane managed 90 goals in 196 appearances for Liverpool, none of those came from the spot, with Egyptian teammate Mo Salah the Reds’ preferred penalty taker.  

Senegal will appear at the Qatar World Cup in November, with Mane having struck the decisive penalty in his side’s shootout victory over Salah’s Egypt in February.