Why Bayern may have to play 16-year-old in goal

Leonard Prescott will not turn 17 until September Bayern Munich may hand 16-year-old goalkeeper Leonard Prescott his first-team debut in the Champions League on Wednesday. The German giants have three goalkeepers struggling with injury and if Jonas Urbig fails to recover from concussion then Prescott will play in the second leg of their last 16 tie against Atalanta, head coach Vincent Kompany said. Urbig sustained his injury in Bayern's 6-1 victory in Italy last week, while regular starter Manuel Neuer is working towards full fitness after a muscle tear and third-choice keeper Sven Ulreich picked up an adductor issue in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen. "Jonas trained normally today [Tuesday]. The decision tomorrow will be a medical one," Kompany said. "If everything goes well then Urbig will be in goal. If not then we will have to find another solution." Prescott, a German youth international who plays for Bayern's under-19s, will require clearance from German labour authorities to work in the evening as he is a teenager. He has been on Bayern's bench in their past two matches with fellow teenage keeper Leon Klanac, 19, also out with a thigh injury. Reserve team keeper Janis Bartl, 19, has featured on the Bayern bench in two Bundesliga matches this season, but it is Prescott who Kompany will turn to if necessary. "He [Prescott] is very calm. Overall, we as a staff are also calm. If he plays tomorrow he will have our full backing. Everyone will help," Kompany added. "There will never be a young player who will be forced to play a main role. We have full confidence in him whatever happens tomorrow." Neuer, a World Cup winner and 12-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern, has played 19 times in the league this season, with the 37-year-old's last appearance coming on 6 March. Urbig, 22, has played eight league matches, including six starts, while Ulreich, 37, made his first appearance of the season on Saturday. Bayern, the defending Bundesliga champions and current league leaders, will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the last eight should they beat Atalanta. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Champions League: Barcelona retake lead against Newcastle in end-to-end start Senegal government alleges corruption over Afcon 'The longest VAR check in history' - the fallout from shock Afcon decision Don’t miss Red Nose Day, live from 7pm on Friday 20 March Have Chelsea silenced the critics? Inside the hidden world of China’s ‘mistress dispellers’ What happens when motherhood is pushed to its limits? Afcon final chaos - key questions answered Why ex-Palace winger Olise is now in Ballon d'Or contention at Bayern Have Liverpool lost 'chaotic' edge that made them so feared? The 'anti-Lamine' backed to be one of best in world Will Champions League be Guardiola's Man City regret? 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Video 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Inside the state school at the top of English rugby union 'Looking like the Hamilton of old' and potential rule changes - F1 Q&A Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Video Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Norrie replaces Draper as British number one - but for how long? Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion. Video Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.