Bayern Munich’s preparations for Tuesday’s crucial Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain have suffered a setback.
The club has confirmed that teenage sensation Lennart Karl will not be part of the squad travelling to Paris.
The Road to Recovery
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has been sidelined for the past few weeks following a muscle fibre tear in his right thigh, sustained earlier this month.
While there had been encouraging signs in his recovery—including a return to individual ball work last week—the medical staff has deemed him not yet ready for the high intensity of a Champions League semi-final.
On Monday morning, Karl completed individual running sessions alongside teammate Tom Bischof, but he was unable to participate in the final team training session.
Bayern’s management remains committed to a cautious approach, prioritizing the youngster’s long-term fitness over rushing a premature return during such a pivotal stretch of the season.
Selection Headaches for Kompany
Lennart Karl’s absence compounds an already challenging situation for manager Vincent Kompany, who is also set to serve a touchline suspension for the clash at the Parc des Princes.
With Serge Gnabry also confirmed to be out with an adductor injury, the Bayern boss faces the difficult task of reconfiguring his attacking options against a formidable PSG side.
While the loss of a player who has been a revelation this season—contributing 14 direct goal involvements in all competitions—is a significant blow, the primary focus remains on securing a positive result in Paris before the return leg in Munich.
Karl will now turn his attention toward continued rehabilitation, with his next target for a potential comeback likely being Saturday’s Bundesliga fixture against Heidenheim.
With key creative talents like Karl and Gnabry sidelined, what tactical adjustments do you think Vincent Kompany should make to ensure Bayern remains a potent attacking threat against PSG?
