Bayern teenager Lennart Karl set for Germany debut and Rüdiger returns to squad

FRANKFURT, Germany — Bayern Munich’s 18-year-old forward Lennart Karl received his first senior Germany call-up on Thursday after a dazzling run of Champions League performances, while Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger rejoined the national squad following a hamstring lay-off.

Karl’s invitation came less than 24 hours after he scored once and assisted another in Bayern’s 10-2 aggregate triumph over Atalanta, a display that lifted him to four goals and two assists in only seven European appearances. The teenager, who became Bayern’s youngest Champions League goal-scorer on his first start in October, could now make his international debut in upcoming friendlies.

Also on the brink of a first cap is Karl’s club-mate Jonas Urbig. The 18-year-old goalkeeper has stepped in for the injured Manuel Neuer and, after overcoming a recent concussion, kept goal in Wednesday’s second-leg win over Atalanta, easing Bayern’s injury concerns.

Rüdiger, 33, returns to Julian Nagelsmann’s group for the first time since September, having missed Germany’s last four World Cup qualifiers while recovering from his hamstring problem.

VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav was rewarded for a prolific domestic streak that has seen him score in each of his last five Bundesliga matches. With 16 league goals, Undav trails only Bayern’s Harry Kane in the scoring charts.

Germany will fine-tune preparations for this summer’s World Cup with friendlies away to Switzerland on 27 March and against Ghana in Stuttgart three days later. The four-time champions have been drawn in a group alongside Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.