Karl, Bayern star, sets records and leads comeback vs. Freiburg

Lennart Karl Shines in Bayern Munich’s Comeback

The 17-year-old footballer, Lennart Karl, became the standout figure for Bayern Munich in their 6-2 victory against Freiburg, a match that will be marked in the club’s history. The Bundesliga leader managed to come back from a two-goal deficit, equaling an old record this Saturday. In his ninth appearance in the league and his second as a starter, Karl sent a forceful message to the German coach, Julian Nagelsmann, before next year’s World Cup, by leading Bayern’s comeback with a goal, an assist and dazzling play.

• Why is everyone talking about Lennart Karl from Bayern Munich?

• Luis Díaz from Bayern receives a 3-match ban in the Champions League for a red card against PSG

“Lenny… It’s always very difficult,” commented Bayern coach Vincent Kompany at a press conference. “When you score six goals, there are many players involved.”

Vincent Kompany

The young star, who had already made history this season by becoming the club’s youngest goalscorer in the Champions League, re-entered the record books on Saturday as Bayern’s youngest player to score and assist in a Bundesliga match. Only one player younger than Karl has achieved that feat for any Bundesliga team: former Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko, who managed it in the 3-1 victory over Freiburg in August 2022. Michael Olise also shone in Saturday’s victory by scoring two goals and assisting on three others.

Bayern, who would have remained at the top even with a defeat, equaled their 52-year record of 43 consecutive matchdays at the top of the league. They will surpass the record regardless of the result in the match against St. Pauli next weekend, after facing Arsenal away in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“Any record that has lasted that long is probably a pretty impressive feat. But we don’t focus too much on records,” Kompany said.

Vincent Kompany

Freiburg took advantage of Bayern’s passive start with Yuito Suzuki and Johan Manzambi scoring after corner kicks in the first 18 minutes. It was the first time Bayern had been behind at home this season. Karl responded four minutes later by controlling Olise’s ball with his left foot and scoring with his right, and the youngster returned the favor to Olise to equalize before halftime. Karl, unstoppable, could have scored again after the break, but a goal was disallowed after a VAR review for offside in the play. Dayot Upamecano scored from Olise’s corner and Harry Kane added to his goalscoring account in the league at the hour mark. Karl retired in the 71st minute after taking a knock to his hip, leaving Olise to assist substitute Nicolas Jackson for the fifth in the 78th. Olise completed the scoring in the 84th, assisted by Hiroki Ito, who was making his first appearance of the season. The next challenge for Bayern is one of the most difficult of the season so far, as they face one of the only two teams that have accumulated the maximum points in the four Champions League matches. “The next match is another home match in the Bundesliga and, of course, in between is the Champions League against Arsenal,” said Kompany. “We have put ourselves in a good position to go there and try to continue and improve.” When asked if Bayern was ready for the challenge, the former Manchester City captain said: “Perhaps more than ever. At least I hope so.”