Bayern is expected to avoid using 16-year-old goalkeeper Prescott as a starter.
MUNICH — Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has suggested that he may not need to utilize 16-year-old goalkeeper Leonard Prescott in the Champions League match against Atalanta, as backup Jonas Urbig returned to training on Tuesday amid an injury crisis in that position.
Urbig, who typically serves as Bayern’s second-choice goalkeeper, suffered a concussion after a collision with an opponent during Bayern’s 6-1 victory in the first leg last week. Other goalkeepers Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich are also dealing with injuries ahead of the second leg on Wednesday.
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Kompany stated that the decision regarding Urbig’s fitness will be based solely on medical assessments, adding, “If everything is fine tomorrow morning and it continues as it is now, then Urbig will be in goal as usual. If not, we will need to find another solution, and we will do that as well.”
Kompany then confirmed that the alternative would be Prescott, who is originally from New York and typically plays for the club’s under-19 team.
Prescott was on the bench for the Bundesliga match on Saturday when third-choice Ulreich sustained an adductor muscle injury. A 19-year-old reserve player, Jannis Bärtl, has also been considered as a potential option.
Bayern reported that Urbig trained with the squad on Tuesday, while Neuer participated in a partial session as part of his recovery from a recurring calf issue. “It is obviously encouraging that Manu is back and Jonas can train normally,” Kompany remarked.
Bayern is also managing injuries to left back Alphonso Davies and forward Jamal Musiala following last week’s victory against Atalanta.
