„A crazy story“: Bayern boss predicted Lennart Karl’s goal | OneFootball

Lennart Karl not only made history in FC Bayern’s 4-0 win over Club Brugge – he also enchanted the entire club. With his goal on his Champions League debut, the 17-year-old became the youngest German goalscorer in the top flight. Sporting director Christoph Freund was overwhelmed by the super talent’s performance after the game.

At 17 years and 242 days old, Karl is now the youngest Bayern goalscorer in the Champions League – and no German player has ever scored younger in this competition. Coach Vincent Kompany had surprisingly ordered the attacking player into the starting eleven, and the youngster made the most of his opportunity in impressive fashion: After just five minutes, he volleyed the ball into the corner to make it 1:0 and pave the way for a commanding 4:0 victory.

After the game, Karl was named Man of the Match by UEFA – an emotional highlight for the 17-year-old, who is regarded as one of Munich’s biggest talents.

„You can see it every day in training“

For Christoph Freund, Karl’s gala was no coincidence. The sporting director spoke about his impressions in the mixed zone after the game – and let it slip that he almost saw the goal coming. „Of course it’s a crazy story,“ Freund said in the Mixed Zone. „You see it every day in training – he plays along, he’s just a really good footballer, has an outstanding finish.“

The Austrian praised Karl’s self-confidence and maturity: „He wasn’t nervous at all, but showed a lot of self-confidence. The lads respect him because he’s simply a good footballer.“

Freund is proud that a home-grown player like Karl is taking on responsibility in such an important match: „To score the 1-0 on his starting debut in the Champions League – that’s simply special. He’s fun for the whole team.“

„We had a feeling“ – Freund’s premonition comes true

What is particularly remarkable is that the Bayern coaching team had a good feeling before kick-off. „We sat in the dressing room beforehand and said: We have a feeling that Lenni will score his first goal today,“ revealed Freund. „He finishes so well in training – and then that’s exactly what happens.“

The cheers on the bench were accordingly exuberant. „Everyone was really happy for him,“ Freund continued. The fact that Kompany and the entire coaching staff also joined in the celebrations emphasised the family atmosphere in the team.

A symbol of the new Bayern way

Freund sees Karl’s appearance as confirmation of the record champions‘ new sporting direction. FC Bayern is once again focussing more on young players from its own campus, who are gradually being introduced to the first team.

„It’s very, very nice to have such a top talent back with us,“ concluded Freund. „He’s a boy who has everything – talent, attitude, mentality. We want to take our time building him up, but he showed today why we believe in him.“