Aaron Danks backs Lennart Karl amid Bayern form dip before Der Klassiker
Synopsis
Bayern Munich's interim boss Aaron Danks offered a robust defence of teenage winger Lennart Karl on the eve of Der Klassiker, framing the 18-year-old's inconsistency as the normal arc of development rather than a cause for alarm. With Neuer sidelined for a third game and Kompany still absent, Danks carries an unusually heavy load into one of the Bundesliga's most watched fixtures.
Key Takeaways
Aaron Danks publicly backed Lennart Karl ahead of Bayern Munich 's Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Danks described Karl's form fluctuations as 'like a rollercoaster' — a normal part of a young player's development.
Karl, 18 , started Bayern's last two games and contributed directly to goals in the 6-1 win over 1.
Captain Manuel Neuer will miss his third consecutive match due to a foot problem, with Jonas Urbig set to start in goal.
Interim coach Danks is standing in for the unwell Vincent Kompany , whose return date remains unclear.
Bayern Munich interim head coach Aaron Danks has publicly backed under-fire winger Lennart Karl, saying the 18-year-old's patchy form is a natural part of any young player's journey, while confirming that captain Manuel Neuer will miss Saturday's Bundesliga showdown against Borussia Dortmund due to a persistent foot problem.
Danks Defends Karl's Development
Danks, who has taken charge of first-team duties while Vincent Kompany recovers from illness, urged patience with Karl during a press conference on Friday, 31 October. Drawing on his experience working with young footballers at England's Football Association, the interim coach said expectations around the teenager's trajectory need to be grounded in reality.
'What Lenny is going through right now is completely normal. Everyone expects and hopes that the path will be straight and lead directly to the top. But in reality, it is like a rollercoaster: there are highs and lows, fluctuations in performance, moments of great confidence and moments of low confidence. We believe in him, stand behind him and encourage him to work hard,' Danks said, according to Goal.com.
Karl's Difficult Season and Recent Resurgence
Karl had enjoyed a rapid rise last autumn before injury disrupted the second half of last season and ultimately ruled him out of the World Cup. He carried those struggles into the current campaign, enduring a difficult start before showing signs of renewed confidence in recent weeks.
The teenager started Bayern's last two matches and was particularly impressive in their 6-1 victory over 1. FC Magdeburg on Wednesday. He played a key role in the build-up to Michael Olise's opening goal with an incisive through ball and then directly assisted the fourth goal of the evening.
Danks acknowledged the improvement, highlighting Karl's work off the ball as equally encouraging. 'In the last two games, he has shown some really positive signs. He has worked hard, carried out his defensive duties for the team very well and shown moments of real quality,' the interim coach added.
Neuer to Miss Der Klassiker, Urbig to Start
Bayern will head into arguably the season's most high-profile domestic fixture without their talismanic goalkeeper. Danks confirmed that Neuer, 40, is still not fit enough to play, making this his third consecutive absence through the foot complaint.
'He still has a bit of pain in his foot. He's taking it day by day,' Danks said. The Saturday evening kick-off — scheduled for 6:30 pm local time — has come too soon for the veteran captain.
Jonas Urbig, 23, is set to continue between the posts, making his third successive start and seventh appearance of the season. The young goalkeeper has stepped into an unenviable role at a critical juncture of Bayern's campaign.
Context and What to Watch
The clash against Borussia Dortmund is one of the most scrutinised fixtures in European club football, and Danks faces the unusual pressure of managing it as a stand-in. Notably, Bayern's handling of both Neuer's fitness and Karl's development will be watched closely — the former as a signal of the club's succession planning in goal, the latter as a barometer of how the club nurtures its academy talent under first-team pressure.
With Kompany's return date uncertain, Danks' ability to manage personnel and results simultaneously will define how Bayern navigate this short but pivotal stretch of the season.
Point of View
Missing a third straight game, and a 23-year-old deputy stepping into Der Klassiker. That is not just a fitness story; it is a transition story the club has yet to formally address. Kompany's illness adding an interim layer to an already unsettled technical structure raises questions about depth of coaching continuity at one of Europe's most demanding clubs.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Aaron Danks in charge of Bayern Munich?
Aaron Danks is serving as interim head coach because first-choice manager Vincent Kompany is unwell. Danks is overseeing team affairs until Kompany recovers, including the high-profile Bundesliga fixture against Borussia Dortmund.
What did Danks say about Lennart Karl?
Danks said Karl's dip in form is 'completely normal' for a young player and compared the development path to 'a rollercoaster.' He expressed full support for the 18-year-old, citing Karl's recent positive performances as evidence of his progress.
Will Manuel Neuer play against Borussia Dortmund?
No. Neuer will miss Saturday's Der Klassiker with a foot problem, making it his third consecutive absence. Danks confirmed the goalkeeper is still experiencing pain and taking his recovery 'day by day.'
Who will start in goal for Bayern against Dortmund?
Jonas Urbig, 23, is expected to start in goal. This will be his third successive start and seventh appearance of the season, having stepped up during Neuer's absence.
How has Lennart Karl performed recently?
Karl has shown improvement after a difficult start to the season. He started Bayern's last two matches and was influential in the 6-1 win over 1. FC Magdeburg, setting up a goal and contributing to the build-up for another.
