The Champions League provided no shortage of drama on its return.Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off on his European debut for Juventus, while 2018 finalists Liverpool made a huge statement of intent with a last-gasp victory over PSG.Somewhat under the radar, though, came Bayern Munich's rather routine 2-0 win away to Benfica.Robert Lewandowski got things underway in the 10th minute before none other than Renato Sanches added a second.Yes, you read that correctly. The Portuguese midfielder was making his return for the Bundesliga champions following his disastrous loan spell at Swansea last season.The 21-year-old was poor in the first half of the 2017/18 Premier League campaign and did not feature again after January 27, despite the Swans battling relegation.Sanches' potential always meant he was going to be under more scrutiny than most players of his age and Bayern fans may have been sceptical about what he would bring to the table in their group stage opener.
Sanches was impressive
As it transpired, he started the move for his goal from deep within his own half with an excellent run and was on hand to finish from five yards thanks to some good work from James Rodriguez.
It was his first club goal since 2016, which he actually scored for Benfica.
Even Benfica fans loved it
Their fans evidently bore him no ill will, however, and gave him a round of applause for his strike, which he returned.
While there have been question marks over his attitude and fitness in the past, nobody likes to see talent go to waste.
And Sanches' is a huge talent, one which helped him to the Golden Boy award two years ago and which saw him become the youngest player to win the European Championships.
"I'm so happy to have had a night like this in Lisbon, and I want to thank the Benfica fans," Sanches told Sky in Germany, per Sky Sports.
"It was a very special moment for me and I enjoyed it a lot."
Benfica got the best out of him and he was at the centre of a tug-of-war between Bayern and Manchester United at the age of 18.
In his first season at the Allianz under Carlo Ancelotti, he made just six appearances and from there, it appeared he had embarked on a downward spiral.
Despite all that and contrary to speculation that he would return to his former club this summer, he chose to stick with Bayern. After last night's performance, perhaps he has a part to play in the Niko KovaÄ era after all.
Do you think Sanches will be a top player after all? Have your say in the comments.