FC Bayern München faces a significant setback in preparation for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid due to an injury to a key offensive player.
The German record champions announced on Friday afternoon that Lennart Karl has sustained a muscle fiber tear in his right hamstring. This diagnosis was confirmed by the club’s medical department following an examination.
While the exact duration of the 18-year-old’s absence has not been disclosed in detail, Bayern stated that Karl will be sidelined «for the time being.» This means he will definitely miss the upcoming away match against FC St. Pauli on Saturday evening. Karl expressed his hope for a swift return and wished the team maximum success on Instagram.
Furthermore, Karl is highly unlikely to be available for the critical Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid. Bayern will host the Spanish giants at their home ground, the Allianz Arena, next Wednesday.
Karl Was an Unused Substitute in the First Leg Against Real Madrid
In the first leg of the tie, played last Tuesday at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Bayern secured a 2-1 victory. However, Karl remained on the bench for the entire 90 minutes. Manager Vincent Kompany opted to deploy Jamal Musiala in the offensive midfield position instead.
This season, Karl has made 24 appearances in the Bundesliga, contributing five goals and five assists. In the Champions League, he has scored seven goals and provided two assists in seven outings. In March, he received his first call-up to the German senior national team by coach Julian Nagelsmann and has since played in his first two international matches against Switzerland and Ghana.