Bayern Munich are hopeful that teenage forward Lennart Karl will return to competitive action in the Telekom Cup against RB Leipzig on 15 August. The 18-year-old has been recovering from a muscular injury sustained shortly before the World Cup, but could resume full team training during the club’s upcoming camp at Tegernsee.
According to Bild, Karl is targeting a return to collective sessions between 27 and 30 July. The German publication reports that the pre-season training camp represents a crucial step in his rehabilitation programme, with medical staff monitoring his progress closely ahead of the fixture against Leipzig.
Breakout Campaign
The 18-year-old established himself as a valuable first-team member during the 2025/26 season. Karl featured in 40 matches across all competitions, contributing nine goals and eight assists.
His performances proved particularly effective in cup competitions and league fixtures requiring squad rotation. The statistics reflect his rapid development since earning opportunities within the senior setup.
Recovery Timeline
The Telekom Cup fixture against Leipzig offers an early opportunity for Karl to regain match sharpness ahead of the new campaign. Bayern have managed his rehabilitation cautiously to prevent setbacks, preferring to target the August date rather than accelerating his return prematurely.
Successful completion of the Tegernsee training sessions without complication would clear him for selection. The muscular problem disrupted Karl’s World Cup preparations and ultimately forced him to miss the tournament entirely.
Should he feature against Leipzig, it would mark his first appearance since sustaining the injury. His potential comeback next month would restore depth to the squad ahead of the new Bundesliga season. The club will assess his workload carefully during the training camp before confirming his involvement in the fixture.