Seventeen-year-old Lennart Karl has emerged as a key player for Bayern Munich, helping the Bundesliga leaders to match their previous record by overcoming a two-goal deficit to triumph over Freiburg 6-2 on Saturday.
In just his ninth league match and second time starting, Karl sent a strong message to Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann ahead of next year’s World Cup by fueling Bayern’s comeback with his goals, assists, and exceptional performances.
– What’s driving the buzz around Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl?
– Bayern’s Luis Diaz faces a three-match suspension in the UCL following a red card against PSG
“Lenny… it’s always very challenging,” commented Bayern coach Vincent Kompany during a press briefing. “Scoring six goals indicates that multiple players contributed significantly.
“Their most critical moment was when we made it 2-1. They set up that situation. There was a high level of quality demonstrated, and not many can achieve that, but it reignited our momentum. Everything that followed was a great collective effort from many players.”
This young talent, who made history earlier this season as the youngest scorer for the club in the Champions League, achieved another milestone on Saturday by becoming the youngest Bayern player to both score and assist in a Bundesliga match.
Only one player younger than Karl has accomplished this in the Bundesliga—former Borussia Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko, who netted in a 3-1 victory over Freiburg in August 2022.
Michael Oliseh also played a pivotal role, scoring two goals and providing three assists in the team’s victory.
Bayern maintained their lead in the league even amidst this setback, tying a 52-year-old record by leading for 43 straight games. They are set to break this record during their next match against St. Pauli, regardless of the outcome against Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“A record enduring this long is quite an achievement, but our main focus isn’t on the record,” Kompany remarked.
“This game boosted our confidence, and at the very least, it sharpened our focus on the areas we need to improve.”
Freiburg capitalized on Bayern’s slow start, with Yuito Suzuki and Johan Manzambi scoring from a corner in the first 18 minutes. This marked the first time Bayern found themselves trailing at home this season.
Karl quickly responded, controlling Oliseh’s pass with his left foot and finishing with his right, and later set up Oliseh to equalize before halftime.
Despite a potential second goal being ruled out by VAR for offside in the buildup, Karl’s influence was evident. Dayot Upamecano scored from Oliseh’s corner, followed by a goal from league top-scorer Harry Kane shortly after the hour mark.
Karl received loud applause as he was substituted in the 71st minute after taking a knock, and Oliseh came in for Nicholas Jackson in the 78th minute. Oliseh scored again in the 84th minute following a setup by Hiroki Ito, who made his first appearance this season.
Bayern’s next match poses one of their toughest challenges so far, taking on Arsenal, a team that has performed exceptionally well in their last four Champions League fixtures.
“We have another Bundesliga home match ahead, in addition to the Champions League game against Arsenal,” Kompany noted. “We want to position ourselves well and keep improving.”
When asked about their readiness for the upcoming challenge, the former Manchester City captain responded, “Probably more than ever. At least I hope so.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Fan Take: The rise of Lennart Karl is significant for soccer fans as it not only highlights the emergence of young talent but also raises expectations for the national team ahead of the World Cup. His impressive performances could inspire a new generation, showcasing the potential for youth in professional soccer.
