Lennart Karl has been the subject of public criticism at FC Bayern. The team’s injury woes could now give him the chance to return to the spotlight on the field.
Lennart Karl had to wait a long time against Borussia Dortmund. Although Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry were substituted due to injury before halftime, the 18-year-old didn’t enter the game until the 85th minute. Shortly afterward, he came within centimeters of scoring the game-winner: his curling shot hit the crossbar in stoppage time. Now, the late substitute could become a much more important option.
That’s because Bayern Munich’s personnel situation has become considerably more dire. Saibari underwent surgery after tearing his syndesmotic ligament, and Gnabry is sidelined with a muscle injury. Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz are also out. If Michael Olise doesn’t recover in time, only two of the seven established attacking players—Harry Kane and Karl—would be available for the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid.
This opens up the prospect of more playing time for Karl—and the opportunity to take on different roles. Without Olise, he would be an obvious choice for the right wing. If the Frenchman is able to play, Karl might be needed in the center behind Kane. With Saibari out, there is now one fewer competitor for that position.
Karl can earn himself more than just a spot as a stopgap solution
Aaron Danks attributed Karl’s initial benching against Dortmund to tactical considerations. Nathaniel Brown was brought in to help in attacking midfield, while Alphonso Davies moved to the left wing. Kompany’s stand-in explicitly denied that his substitution decision was directed against Karl.
“This isn’t a criticism of Lenny. Lenny is a top-class player; he came onto the field and had a great moment at the end when he hit the crossbar—that’s really positive for him,” Danks explained after the Derby.
His brief appearance showed what Karl can bring to the table even during a difficult stretch: a surprising move and the ability to finish on his own. Especially when several creative and goal-scoring players are missing, these qualities become even more important.
That said, the youngster doesn’t have to rely solely on spectacular plays to justify his claim to more responsibility. After the win in Freiburg, Max Eberl explicitly praised Karl’s work for the team. The sporting director had taken note of his ball recoveries, commitment to defending, and consistent pressing. Danks, too, recently highlighted the progress he’s made in his defensive work.
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This is precisely where an opportunity lies for Karl that extends beyond the current injury crisis. If he can consistently combine his offensive skills with reliable work against the ball, he’ll provide a strong case for continued playing time—even when the competition returns.
However, the public controversy surrounding him doesn’t make this task any easier. Following criticism from Uli Hoeneß and Eberl, his agent Michael Ballack weighed in. Eberl’s subsequent reaction prolonged the debate. Amid all the back-and-forth, Karl’s on-field development was in danger of taking a back seat.
Now, the focus could shift back to the field. A starting spot in Madrid isn’t a given, and the injuries don’t guarantee Karl a regular spot in the lineup. But they do give him the opportunity to gain confidence through extended playing time. For Bayern, it would be a major relief if the much-criticized talent could once again become a reliable offensive threat, especially now.