Galatasaray Crisis: Leroy Sane’s Shocking Form Slump Sparks Rafael Leao Concerns

Galatasaray’s Leroy Sane is facing mounting scrutiny after going 13 matches across all competitions without recording a single goal or assist, according to reports in Turkish sports media. The German international, who arrived in Istanbul with high expectations, last found the net on April 12, 2026, during a 1-1 league draw against Kocaelispor at Rams Park, according to coverage from Hürriyet.

The Depth of Sané’s Slump at Galatasaray

Following his last goal against Kocaelispor, the former Manchester City and Bayern Munich winger has played 11 Süper Lig matches, one Turkish Cup fixture, and one UEFA Champions League match without contributing a goal or an assist.

This prolonged dry spell has not gone unnoticed at the international level. Germany national team manager Jürgen Klopp omitted Sane from his most recent squad selection, underscoring the severity of his current form. The sudden drop-off has intensified debates surrounding Galatasaray’s tactical setup, with critics increasingly questioning how high-profile attacking arrivals experience such stark performance dips under manager Okan Buruk.

Growing Anxiety Over Rafael Leão

As struggles persist for Sane, Galatasaray supporters and club officials face a secondary worry regarding Portuguese star Rafael Leão. According to reports from Fanatik, the club’s leadership and fanbase are growing anxious that Leão—who arrived in a high-profile transfer valued at approximately 40 million euros—could experience a similar trajectory.

Galatasaray Crisis: Leroy Sane's Shocking Form Slump Sparks Rafael Leao Concerns
Photo: hurriyet.com.tr

Leão has also endured a slow start to his tenure in Istanbul, failing to register a goal or an assist in his opening four appearances for the club. The parallel struggles of two marquee wingers have placed immense pressure on the coaching staff to unlock the attacking potential of a squad built to compete domestically and in Europe.

Next Steps for the Squad

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.

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