FC Bayern have suffered a setback in the final sprint of the season. Shooting star Lennart Karl is out for the time being – and will therefore miss one of the most important games of the season. His advisor Michael Ballack has now provided details of the injury and the expected downtime
The 18-year-old suffered a torn muscle fibre in his thigh, as the record champions announced on Friday. Ballack has now specified the diagnosis and provided an initial assessment of the attacking talent’s absence. „Give or take three weeks. A typical torn muscle fibre,“ explained the former international in an interview with DAZN
It is therefore clear that Karl is definitely out of the question for the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, and a comeback for the first leg of the CL semi-final (28/29 April), should Bayern qualify, is also very unlikely
Setback in the decisive final spurt of the season
In the Bundesliga, Karl will miss the games against St. Pauli, Stuttgart and Mainz and the semi-final of the DFB Cup against Bayer Leverkusen (April 22)
This is particularly bitter for the youngster, who had recently come to the fore with strong performances – including his goal against Freiburg
However, Ballack also emphasized that the exact duration of muscle injuries is always individual: „It’s always difficult to say exactly because it’s very individual. Everyone has one muscle more or less.“ Above all, the healing process in the coming days is crucial
For Karl himself, the injury has come at the worst possible time. The attacking player had not only established himself at FC Bayern, but had also recently celebrated his debut for the senior national team and thus recommended himself for further appearances
With Karl, Bayern are losing an additional option in attack – especially in a phase in which rotation and squad depth are crucial. Coach Vincent Kompany has repeatedly given the youngster playing time recently, underlining the campus course he has embarked on
Karl speaks out
Karl himself spoke out on social media after the diagnosis and was combative: „Hope to be back soon. Wish the team maximum success.“
FC Bayern can only hope that the youngster will return sooner than expected, but one thing is clear: the Munich club will have to make do without one of its most exciting talents for the time being as the season draws to a close.