Lennart Karl came close to scoring in back-to-back games for Bayern Munich when he shattered the post against Union Berlin in the 31st minute on Saturday. The youngster started the game after delivering a solid performance in the midweek against Atalanta in the Champions League.
After a scintillating first half of the season, Karl had to work hard to regain form during Ruckrunde. He has looked in fine rhythm for Bayern over the last few weeks, even though goals and assists may have dried up, which is natural for a teenager in his first season at the top level.
Considering the impact Karl has made at Bayern this season, there has been a lot of clamour amongst the German media and pundits for Karl’s inclusion in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad for the World Cup in the summer. They got their wish earlier this week.
Nagelsmann has called up Karl for the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana. After helping Bayern beat Union Berlin 4-0 on Saturday, Karl will link up with the German squad to start preparing for next weekend’s friendly against Switzerland. While talking to the media on Saturday (via iMiaSanMia), Karl couldn’t hide his excitement about playing for the national team at the senior level.
"I was at my math tutoring session. Then Julian Nagelsmann called me. I didn't answer at first, but I called back after five minutes and was very happy to hear that I was called up.. I'm not putting any pressure on myself. I'll just play my football and then I hope things work out well and that I'll be at the World Cup"Lennart Karl
Karl is unlikely to be a starter for Germany since there are several senior players ahead of him in the pecking order. However, he has the quality to make an impact while coming off the bench. His ability to beat opposition with his immaculate dribbling and close control can be handy for Germany in the World Cup.
The youngster can make a strong case for a place in the World Cup squad by delivering good performances against Switzerland and Ghana.
Good performances for Germany will help Karl to end the season strongly
Karl’s confidence has been slightly dented during Ruckrunde due to the lack of output he had in the first half of the season. He is still averaging a goal or an assist every 121 minutes for Die Roten this season.
The goal against Atalanta on Wednesday was his first goal in the last ten competitive games for Die Roten. He built on this performance by playing well against Union Berlin. A positive outing with Germany over the next two weeks will help in rebuilding his confidence and help him to end the season strongly for Die Roten. Karl will have a big role to play for Bayern as they face a stern test against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after the international break.