FC Bayern: Reaction to Lennart Karl's unusual celebration in Madrid
At the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, the 18‑year‑old international Lennart Karl gave Bayern Munich the lead in the Champions League away leg against Atlético Madrid with a cool chip over Jan Oblak to make it 1‑0, and then celebrated with a conspicuous gesture whose reaction was immediately debated.
Goal and Lead in Madrid
In the decisive moment, Lennart Karl appeared wide awake. The 18‑year‑old stole the ball from opponent Robin Le Normand in the penalty area during Bayern Munich's away leg in the Champions League against Atlético Madrid.
Celebration and Controversial Gesture
He chipped the leather, i.e., the ball, over goalkeeper Jan Oblak and tucked the ball into the net – the decisive 1‑0 for the Munich side at the Estadio Metropolitano. Karl celebrated exuberantly. His teammates around Harry Kane embraced the winger. Shortly afterwards, Karl drew attention again with a special gesture.
He brought both hands up to his ears and mimicked mouth movements with them. What Karl intended to convey with the hand motion is not clearly understood.
Criticism and Expert Opinions
Recently, the young Bayern professional had to endure a lot of criticism. Initially, Bayern patron Uli Hoeneß publicly took Karl to task. “I intend to have a serious conversation with him. He is far from being a superstar; young players need humility,” he told Die Welt on Sunday at the end of October. Hoeneß emphasized that pressure is important for young professionals and said he did not know whether it benefits Karl if he is always only embraced.
Lennart Karl case fuels legitimate talk on Champions League role
TV expert Lothar Matthäus confronted Hoeneß on Thursday. “Lennart Karl should focus on football; with strong competition he must assert himself,” Matthäus demanded. He added: “A bit less bling, a bit less social media, a bit more performance on the pitch.”
Bayern board member Max Eberl noted several missteps and a dip in form for Karl last week and advised him to focus on football like Matthäus. After the match against Atlético, Eberl said in the catacombs of the arena in Madrid: “Lennart Karl is an important player for us; we have never denied that.” He was “incredibly hardworking today against Atlético and then he rewards himself with a goal.”
Eberl admitted that he could not clearly interpret Karl’s celebration and honestly said he had not seen it because he was also happy. After the criticism of Karl, Eberl was sharply confronted by former DFB captain Michael Ballack. “That Max Eberl now, after Lennart’s performance curve clearly rises again, attributes a sporting hole to him, even though his performance curve is rising again, is puzzling in terms of timing and at least warrants questioning,” he explained on Saturday around the top match between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund as an expert.
Lennart Karl celebrates opening goal for Atletico and retorts to Uli Hoeneß
Ballack, who is also Karl’s adviser, emphasized that Karl possesses not only footballing qualities but also character. He added that it should be expected that Karl will still bump into obstacles a few times in his career. Ballack also criticized Uli Hoeneß and said that everyone may present themselves as they wish, but the sporting development should not be mixed with that.
Eberl retorted to Ballack after the top match against Dortmund in the catacombs of the Allianz Arena and said he did not know whether Ballack said that as an expert or as the player’s adviser.