Bayern Munich face Norwegian champions Viking FK for the first time in a competitive match on Tuesday night. The Champions League fixture at the Lyse Arena in Stavanger (21:00 CET) presents the unfamiliar challenge of an artificial pitch, with manager Vincent Kompany missing two key players.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is sidelined with foot discomfort. "Jonas Urbig will start against Viking," confirmed Kompany, handing the young keeper a European debut. Attacker Jamal Musiala is also unavailable through injury, denting Bayern's creative options. The team travels to Norway off the back of a 2-2 draw at FC Augsburg, where Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown scored for Bayern, both assisted by Harry Kane.
Unfamiliar Turf in Norway
The artificial surface in Stavanger poses a unique test. It is only Bayern's second competitive Champions League match on such a pitch, following a 2-2 draw at Spartak Moscow in 2006. "I don't want to use the unfamiliar conditions as an excuse, though," emphasised Kompany. Bayern's recent form has been patchy, with just one win, two draws and two defeats from their last five matches (DLWLD). Their last away victory was a 2-1 win at SV Elversberg on 13 September. The full fixtures schedule outlines the challenges ahead.
Opponents Viking FK, the 2025 Norwegian champions, began their league phase with a 1-3 loss to VfB Stuttgart. Domestically, however, Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim's side has been formidable, winning 17 of their first 22 league games this season. Danger men include captain Zlatko Tripić, midfielder Joe Bell and forward Peter Christiansen.
Champions League Outlook
A positive result in Norway is important for Bayern to maintain momentum in the league phase after their opening 5-0 win against FK Bodø/Glimt. The next Champions League assignment is a home clash with Arsenal on 21 October. Further away trips to Atlético Madrid, Lille and Manchester United lie in wait later in the campaign. The updated standings will reveal the group picture after this matchday.
Despite the absences, Kompany will rely on the depth of his squad. The attacking threat will again come from Harry Kane, who provided two assists in Augsburg, while Michael Olise, the team's current top scorer with four goals in five appearances, will be key. The defence, marshalled by Nathaniel Brown, must contain the running power of the Norwegians on the fast artificial surface. The match is exclusively available to stream and watch on TV via Amazon Prime Video. Bayern return from Norway in the early hours of Wednesday before turning their focus to the top-tier clash against Arsenal.
The original report is at sportbuzzer.de
