Interview with Lennart Karl about his rehab and working on his comeback

Following a torn muscle fibre in his left thigh which ruled him out of playing for Germany at the World Cup in Mexico, the USA and Canada, Lennart Karl is currently working hard during his rehab. In an interview with fcbayern.com on Monday, the 18-year-old chatted about setbacks and his journey back to the pitch.

Lennart Karl – The interview

Lennart, you started your rehab at Säbener Straße this week. What was it like for you to return to the workplace?
"First of all, I was really grateful. When you get back onto the pitch, you realise just how much you’ve missed it all. It was also really cool to see the lads again: Serge [Gnabry] and David [Santos] have also resumed training. Unfortunately, I can’t go out onto the pitch with them just yet. For now, it’s just cycling and gentle jogging for me – taking it easy. Only then will I head out onto the pitch for running drills and my first ball work. Still, it was a really important step for me.”

…to get straight back into action?
"There's not a lot of time till training starts on 20 July. It'll be a while yet before I can join the lads in training. The main thing now is not to rush things. I’m in daily contact with the doctors and fitness coaches; we’re monitoring the muscle’s response very closely.”

You got injured in training just before your first World Cup with the national team – how did you process that setback mentally?
"It’s really hard to come to terms with a setback like that. The first few days were really tough for me. My family have been my biggest support, as have my girlfriend and my closest friends, who have always been there for me. I’ve also received a lot of support from FC Bayern and lots of messages from the team. What they wrote to me really cheered me up and gave me strength. Everyone made it clear to me: injuries are part of the game; what matters is how you come back. That’s what drives me.”

How do you feel when you watch the World Cup now, particularly the German matches?
”I’ve been in constant contact with Aleks [Pavlović] throughout the tournament; I know just how hard the lads have worked for this moment. Now that we’re in the knockout stages, I’m right there cheering on the German team – and, of course, my other teammates at FC Bayern. The World Cup is also a huge motivation for me to work hard and earn the chance to take part in future tournaments myself.”

Serge Gnabry has also resumed training after picking up an injury ahead of the World Cup: