Bayern’s Trip to Viking FK: Musiala Out, Goalkeeping Call Unresolved

Viking FK vs Bayern Munich is the unusual assignment awaiting the German champions on Champions League matchday 2. Vincent Kompany’s squad has travelled to face a Viking side making their first appearance in the competition, and the build-up has been anything but routine.

Kompany changes the routine

Kompany cancelled the final training session at Säbener Straße before the trip. Weather and artificial turf were behind the decision, and Bayern also travelled earlier than they normally would for an away fixture. Whether that helps against a team unbeaten at home in the league this season is the question the match will answer.

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The disruption comes at a moment when Bayern’s away form has been underwhelming. Their Champions League opener against Bodø/Glimt was won, and a 7-0 Bundesliga victory over Union Berlin followed before the international break. The return to domestic action brought a different story: a Bavarian derby draw with Augsburg in which Bayern conceded the fastest goal in Bundesliga history and had to come from behind twice.

Viking's strong home record

Viking’s Champions League debut ended in defeat to Stuttgart, but their domestic form is formidable. All 11 home league games have been won, including a 5-0 victory over Bodø/Glimt on matchday 4. That result helps explain why Viking and Bodø/Glimt are level on points after 22 rounds, level on goals scored and conceded, and separated only by their head-to-head record. Eight Eliteserien matchdays remain. Viking also came through Champions League qualifying by beating Dinamo Zagreb.

Bayern’s route to the league phase included a win over Bodø/Glimt, so the club has already encountered Norwegian opposition this season. That match, however, was at home. This one is not.

Team news: Musiala the only absentee

Jamal Musiala is Bayern’s only absentee. The goalkeeping position, though, remains uncertain. Manuel Neuer, who is 40, could start ahead of Jonas Urbig, with reports suggesting the club had planned to rebuild Neuer’s confidence. Kompany has not settled on his number one for this fixture.

At right-back, Konrad Laimer is expected to replace Josip Stanišić, who is out of form. Laimer missed the weekend game for the birth of his first child but is available again. Nathaniel Brown is another option in that position after scoring as a substitute against Augsburg.

What to expect

Bayern face RB Leipzig and Arsenal at the Allianz Arena after this match, but the immediate focus is Viking. The final starting lineups are not yet known, and neither is whether Neuer or Urbig will be selected. The exact kickoff time and venue name are also not confirmed in the brief, and weather conditions on matchday remain unclear.

What is clear is the contrast in Champions League experience. Viking are debutants who have already lost once in the competition. Bayern are expected to win, but their recent away form and the unusual preparation make this more than a formality.