Nagelsmann discusses Lennart Karl’s chances of starting at the World Cup
| Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images |
After impressing off the bench in Germany's two friendlies in March, 18-year-old Bayern Munich prodigy Lennart Karl was handed his first start for Julian Nagelsmann's team in Sunday's 4-0 friendly victory over Finland.
Karl delivered another strong performance, ensuring he remains in contention for a starting spot on the right wing when Germany open their World Cup campaign against Curaçao in two weeks’ time.
However, as Nagelsmann made clear after Sunday’s victory, the teenager’s chances of starting will depend on the final build-up to the tournament.
“We’ll see over the next week and a half. A lot has happened for him over the past few months, and processing all of that is one of the biggest challenges at his age. He did well and created space for others," Nagelsmann said after the match on Sunday.
“He’s a creative footballer. You can’t force him into rigid structures, otherwise he loses his flow. He already does a lot of things right, but there’s still plenty he can improve too. There isn’t one specific area, though. He has only just become a professional and is right at the start of his career.”
Karl’s main competition appears to be the more experienced Leroy Sané, who almost scored after a mazy run off the bench on Sunday.
“You all saw Leroy Sané’s impact off the bench too – that was great. He brings incredible dynamism. Jamal [Musiala] “defended” that one situation very well, otherwise Leroy would have scored. And then we still have Jamie [Leweling] as well,” the Germany coach said.
