BAYERN MAY START 16-YEAR-OLD PRESCOTT IN UCL CLASH AGAINST ATALANTA AMID GOALKEEPER INJURIES
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Bayern Munich may turn to 16-year-old goalkeeper Prescott for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash against Atalanta, Head Coach Vincent Kompany has confirmed, following a series of injuries to the club’s senior goalkeepers.
Regular starter Manuel Neuer is still sidelined with a muscle tear, while third-choice keeper Sven Ulreich picked up an adductor injury during Bayern’s 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Bayer Leverkusen.
Second-choice goalkeeper Jonas Urbig is recovering from a concussion sustained in last week’s 6-1 win in Italy.
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Speaking to BBC Sport on Tuesday, Kompany said, “Jonas trained normally today. The decision tomorrow will be a medical one. If everything goes well, Urbig will be in goal. If not, we will have to find another solution.”
That alternative could be Prescott, a German youth international who currently plays for Bayern’s under-19 squad. As a minor, he will need clearance from German labor authorities to feature in an evening match.
Kompany praised the teenager’s composure, adding, “He is very calm. Overall, we as a staff are calm as well. If he plays tomorrow, he will have our full backing. Everyone will help. A young player will never be forced into a main role. We have full confidence in him, whatever happens.”
Neuer, 37, has played 19 Bundesliga matches this season, while Urbig, 22, has eight appearances, and Ulreich, 37, has featured once. Another teenage keeper, 19-year-old Leon Klanac, is also sidelined with a thigh injury.
Bayern, who are defending Bundesliga champions and currently top the league, will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the UCL quarter-finals if they overcome Atalanta, making the goalkeeping situation a crucial factor ahead of the high-stakes fixture.
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