On the biggest stage possible, in the Champions League, he just kept going. “A crazy story. He’s 17 years old,” said sports director Christoph Freund. “But you see every day in training: he plays along, has an outstanding finish. He showed that again today.” Karl isn’t nervous either and has a lot of self-confidence, Freund continues. “The boys really respect him because he’s just a really good footballer.”
Accordingly, it is “very nice that we now have such a top talent back with us.” Karl is one of the biggest future promises at FC Bayern since Musiala and is currently well on the way to fulfilling it.
Incidentally, head coach Vincent Kompany not only expected Karl’s goal debut, but even specifically announced it to him. “We sat in the dressing room with the coach and said: We have the feeling that Lenny will score his first goal today,” revealed Freund. When asked about it, Karl said with a grin: “Then I went through with it. Everything worked out.”
Karl’s performance was good and he “took advantage of his opportunity,” said Kompany after his plan with the young star had fully worked. But one should “not forget, it’s not normal at this level,” the Belgian continued. “Everyone knows that he can score goals. What’s important for us is that he showed in such a big game that he can help us.”
Kompany deliberately remained cautious in his assessment of Karl’s performance. Possibly because he already knew what was coming. It didn’t take long before the debate broke out as to whether Karl, with his abilities, might even have what it takes to become a surprise candidate for national coach Julian Nagelsmann at the World Cup next summer.