'The team picks itself' - Vincent Kompany told Bayern Munich teenager can make the difference alongside Harry Kane in Champions League clash against Arsenal
Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich head to London for a heavyweight Champions League clash with Arsenal, and Lothar Matthaus believes Vincent Kompany already knows who must start. The German legend insists teenager Lennart Karl “can make the difference” alongside Harry Kane and Michael Olise, urging Bayern to trust the 17-year-old on the biggest stage as both superpowers defend perfect European records.

Related News

Kimmich Unimpressed: Bayern Star Questions Arsenal’s Playing Style

07:33 ago

Karl backed to start in Arsenal vs Bayern showdown
The Bavarians arrive at the Emirates for one of the biggest Champions League nights of the season, and Matthaus is convinced that boss Kompany does not need to overthink his lineup. In his latest Sky Sport column ahead of Wednesday’s clash, the German legend argued Karl should start in place of Luis Diaz, suspended after receiving a red card against Paris Saint-Germain, claiming the teenager offers the “special moments” Bayern will need against an in-form Arsenal side.

The showdown pits the two best-performing teams in Europe against one another, with both Arsenal and Bayern winning all four Champions League matches so far. Arsenal have swept aside every opponent without conceding a single goal, while Bayern enter the tie unbeaten across all competitions, recently dismantling Freiburg 6-2 with Olise starring and Karl featuring again despite carrying a minor fitness issue.

More News

MLS Playoffs Rondo: Messi's best run of form? Who wins it all?

22:52 ago

Matthaus believes the pattern of Bayern’s thrilling 2-1 win in Paris offers a blueprint for London. “Bayern stands for dominance, as they showed against PSG, allowing very little defensively in the first half,” he wrote. For that reason, he believes Kompany must back the formula that has lifted Bayern to the top of the Bundesliga and to a perfect Champions League start, a formula that, in his view, must include Karl.

Bayern team 'picks itself', says Matthaus
Matthaus said: "Bayern Munich also have high ambitions. I expect them to perform similarly in London as they did in their 2-1 win in Paris, trying to take control from the outset. Bayern are known for their dominance, as they demonstrated against PSG, conceding very little defensively in the first half.

"I would definitely start Karl in place of the suspended Diaz . You shouldn't expect him to score three goals right away, but he's capable of it; he has the instinct and creates special moments. The team picks itself for me: Karl and Olise on the wings, Kane up front and [Serge] Gnabry behind him . We know he enjoys playing against his former club and scoring against Arsenal.

"Behind them is the double pivot with [Joshua] Kimmich and [Aleksandar] Pavlovic or [Leon] Goretzka, who brings a bit more physicality against the physically strong English, and at the back the back four with [Konrad] Laimer, [Jonathan] Tah, [Dayot] Upamecano and [Josip] Stanisic in front of [Manuel] Neuer."