Bayern Munich lose four goalkeepers to injury before Atalanta clash
Bayern Munich are set to field a 16-year-old goalkeeper in Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Atalanta after losing four senior players to injury.
Manager Vincent Kompany is grappling with an unprecedented selection crisis ahead of the last-16 second leg at the Allianz Arena.
Veteran stopper Sven Ulreich is the latest casualty, having torn a right adductor muscle during Saturday’s Bundesliga draw with Bayer Leverkusen.
The 37-year-old was only playing because regular understudy Jonas Urbig sustained a head injury in last week’s first-leg victory in Italy.
Academy prospect prepares for historic debut
With first-choice captain Manuel Neuer recovering from a calf strain and teenager Leon Klanac sidelined since December, the Bavarian giants have exhausted their established options.
The sudden shortage is further compounded by a January transfer window decision to loan Daniel Peretz to Southampton.
It means academy talent Leonard Prescott is now in line to make a remarkable professional debut on the European stage.
If selected, the United States-born Germany Under-17 international will become the youngest goalkeeper in Champions League history.
Nineteen-year-old Jannis Bartl is widely expected to provide backup on the substitutes’ bench.
Kompany refuses to rush returning stars
Despite the alarming lack of personnel, the six-time European champions remain in a remarkably comfortable position in the tie.
They hold a commanding 6-1 aggregate advantage over their Serie A opponents and are virtually assured of a quarter-final spot.
Neuer has recently returned to full training, but the Belgian head coach is adamant he will not take unnecessary risks with the club legend.
“You have to look at the context. Manuel Neuer was already fit for the Dortmund game, but we waited another week, even though he could have played.”
Vincent Kompany
“The team has always managed things well when some players were out, so there’s no need to put unnecessary pressure on them.”
The former Manchester City captain added that the current list of absentees does not include any serious, long-term issues.
