AUnlikely injuries have sidelined three of Bayern Munich’s top goalkeepers and could mean the German champions start 16-year-old New York-born Leonard Prescott for the upcoming Champions League clash against Atalanta.
With first choice Manuel Neuer recovering from a torn calf muscle, Prescott was on the bench in last week’s Champions League as Bayern beat Atalanta 6-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
At the time, it seemed mainly an opportunity to introduce a promising young player, starting for Bayern’s Under-19s, to a more professional environment.
Born in New York, Prescott began his playing career at Union Berlin before joining Bayern’s academy in 2023. He has also played for the German U17 national team.
Prescott has suddenly become a possible starter after Jonas Urbig suffered a concussion in a collision in the final minute of the game. Substitute Sven Ulreich tore his right adductor in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen but remained on the pitch. He will be “on the sidelines for the time being,” Bayern said on Sunday, after being examined after the match.
If Neuer or the others cannot recover in time, Prescott could be left as Bayern’s starter against Atalanta on Wednesday after also deputizing for Ulreich on Saturday.
Among other goalkeepers contracted to Bayern, backup goalkeeper Leon Klanac has been injured since December and Daniel Peretz is on loan at Southampton.
One other option besides Prescott could be the 19-year-old Jannis Bärtl, who has played substitute games since Klanac’s injury and was on the bench for two Bundesliga games this season.