1 week ago
16
17-year-old
©IMAGO
At 17 years, 8 months, Lennart Karl became Bayern Munich’s youngest-ever UCL goalscorer tonight. The teenager scored the opener in Bayern's 4-0 win over Club Brugge in front of 75,000 spectators at the Allianz Arena. The current record is held by a certain Jamal Musiala. According to our Transfermarkt database, Musiala was 17 years, 11 months, and 28 days old when he scored in Bayern’s 4-1 win over Lazio in the 2020/21 season. Days after signing his new contract, Kompany further emphasized his commitment to playing the kids. And Karl thanked his bench boss with an instant impact.
The game was only four minutes old when Karl took possession of the ball in midfield, danced through Brugge’s defense, and then beat Nordin Jackers with an effort outside the box. Then, in the 31st minute, Karl almost scored his second. The 17-year-old had a phenomenal game. When he came off in the 69th minute, Karl had a goal/xG value of 4.72, three shots on goal, 47 ball contacts, and completed 86% of his 36 passes.
The performance by Karl is also underlined by his market value development. The playmaker with the no.42 was one of the biggest winners of the recent Bundesliga market value update. Karl saw his market value skyrocket from just €1.5 million to €20m. That is an increase of 1233.33%. “He is one of the biggest talents at Bayern over the last few years,” Transfermarkt market value coordinator Tobias Kröger said as part of the Bundesliga market value update. “The 17-year-old has been playing consistently, and his amazing technique and ability on the ball make him a valuable player.”
Lennart Karl: Historic goalscorer and UEFA Man of the Match
“The coach trusted him, and before the game we said to each other: 'We have a feeling the boy will score his first goal today,’” Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund said after the game. Then it happened. Everyone was delighted for him. It's a nice story.” Not only did Karl become Bayern’s youngest-ever Champions League goalscorer, but the teenager was also selected as the Man of the Match by UEFA. "I had goosebumps when hearing the Champions League anthem,” Karl said to UEFA after the match. It's a dream come true for me. Winning the Player of the Match Award at 17 means a lot to me. My family has already texted me. It feels so good.”
Karl’s development has indeed been incredible. The start against Brugge marked his 11th appearance for Bayern Munich this season. Overall, Karl has played 388 minutes, scoring one goal. “I want to get minutes and I'm working to get them,” Karl said. “When you work hard, then everything comes by itself.” The emergence of the young playmaker has also raised the possibility of Karl perhaps featuring for Germany at the World Cup. “I don’t think about that yet,” Karl said. “First, I have to play for the U20s, U21s, and then think about the national team.”
Still, Bayern bench boss Vincent Kompany, who has given the teenager regular minutes, is impressed by Karl’s development. “Lennart has been training with us for seven to eight months; he is used to the team and his teammates,” Kompany said. “He is always dangerous in training; that’s not something you can teach. Today, he used his chance. I don’t expect him to carry the team, but I do think his performance was solid. The way he can score is the reason why he is a Bayern talent.” What is his ceiling? “It is your job to make him really big now,” Kompany said. “I really, really believe in development. That means that a young player does not always play well. The main thing is that if he doesn’t play well, I won’t change my mind. The same is true if he plays well. The next step for him is to be consistent. For that, he needs time.”
