Sadio Mane: "A great decision to join the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich!"
Fresh off a Supercup-winning debut for Bayern Munich, Sadio Mane says he couldn't have picked a better league to play in than the Bundesliga.
Mane scored with his first shot on goal and had a further two efforts ruled out for offside as the defending Bundesliga champions beat DFB Cup holders RB Leipzig 5-3 in the German top flight's traditional curtain-raiser.
The 30-year-old, who joined Bayern earlier in the summer after six years at Liverpool, told bundesliga.com afterwards he could not be happier with the result, his new surroundings and teammates.
Watch: Sadio Mane helps Bayern win the 2022 Supercup!
"Wow! What a day!," Mane enthused following his competitive bow in a Bayern shirt.
"Of course I’m really, really happy to win my first game, first trophy. You can’t complain. Like I said, from the first day I’m really happy to be part of this great club.
"It was easy to adapt with all those boys because they make it easier for me. I’m really happy to be part of this group, this club. What a joy!
"I’m happy to win this trophy. And I’m really looking forward to winning more. It was a great decision to play in the Bundesliga!"
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Mane’s celebration for his maiden Bayern goal encapsulated his elation. The Senegalese star leapt into the air, sharing a moment with Ghana-born Canada international Alphonso Davies. On the evidence of his Supercup display at the sold-out Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, no doubt the first of many.
"Sadio came in, did his job," Davies said in a post-match interview with bundesliga.com.
"He’s a humble guy, he’s very down to earth. He’s a great player, as you can see. I was ecstatic when he scored. We’re happy to have him on the team, and very grateful for him to be here."
Mane has now scored twice in as many games for Bayern, including his pre-season friendly strike against DC United during the club’s summer US tour.
The Bayern No.17 will have the chance to make it three in a row when his new employers kick off their Bundesliga title defence away to UEFA Europa League holders Eintracht Frankfurt on 5 August.
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