Julian Nagelsmann insisted he would not put any pressure on Lennart Karl to “perform miracles” for Germany as the teenager received his first senior call-up.
Karl is enjoying an impressive breakthrough season at Bayern Munich, with the Bavarian club eyeing a potential treble-winning campaign.
The 18-year-old has scored four goals and provided three assists in the Bundesliga this term, while also directly contributing to six goals in seven Champions League games (four goals, two assists).
Karl (18y 24d) became the youngest German player to score and assist in a Champions League match, as well as the youngest to do so for Bayern, in their last 16 second-leg win over Atalanta on Wednesday.
Germany face Switzerland and Ghana in the March internationals as they prepare for the World Cup, but Nagelsmann has eased expectations around Karl.
“I expect him to bring his youthful exuberance to the pitch,” said the Germany boss.
“He likes to play centrally, but we also plan to use him on the right. However, I won’t put any pressure on him to perform miracles.
“He should bring exactly what a young player embodies and play football freely and from the heart, as he’s been doing at Bayern.”
Unser Kader für die anstehenden Länderspiele gegen die Schweiz und Ghana
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27. März – 20:45 Uhr – RTL