Belgian manager, Vincent Kompany, will guide his side, Bayern Munich, when they lock horns with Norwegian side, Viking, in the UCL preliminary on Tuesday night in Norway.
At his pre-match presser, the former Manchester City defender described Viking as “brave and clever in tactical things”.
Bayern Munich will play against Viking in the League Phase match of the Uefa Champions League 2026/27 on Tuesday 13 October, 2026 at 20:00 (WAT) at SR-Bank Arena in Stavanger Municipality, Norway.
On who will start in goal for the German Kings, Kompany disclosed, Manuel Neuer was unable to join the Bavarians in training due to “something” he suffered in his foot.
He described the contest against their Norwegian hosts as a “challenge”, and said, it is a match he tagged “special” for Viking.
Kompany revealed, second choice goalkeeper, Jonas Urbig, has “got the minutes” he requires to develop, saying, the Germany goalie has featured in the Cup final, as well as, several Champions League games.
He said on Bayern Munich official X account, Viking have “very clever” players when it comes to “attacking the box”.
At his pre-Viking press conference, Kompany said:
On who starts in goal…
“Manuel can’t train today. He’s felt something in his foot. So that quickly answers the question of who will be in goal tomorrow.”
On the game…
“It’s the Champions League. Every game is a challenge. If we come here and say we want to be Bayern, then that’s a question of mentality. It’s a special game for Viking, but I don’t want anyone to feel like it’s not important for us.”
On goalkeeper Jonas Urbig…
“We’re going according to plan. He’s got the minutes we wanted to give him for his development. He played in the cup final, in several Champions League games. The fact he’s now also playing for Germany is a result of that development. And every minute is good for his development.”
On teams from Norway…
“So I don’t like talking about tactics. We’ve seen the national team as well. And most of the teams I’ve watched are ones who like to cover a lot of ground. They’re not the quickest but are brave and clever in tactical things, finding solutions in front of goal.
“And when it’s about attacking the box, they’ve got very clever players. A lot of good work has been done in Norway. There was Rosenborg in my day and now two more teams.”
Heading into the showdown on Tuesday night, Bayern Munich are third in the Bundesliga with eleven (11) points, while, Viking are toppers in the Eliteserien with an accumulated point of fifty-three (53).
On the UCL 2026/27 table, Bayern Munich are placed second with three (3) points, same as toppers, Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG), while, Viking are 30th with zero (0) point.
Fixtures
| Uefa Champions League 2026/27 (League Phase) – Fixtures on Tuesday 13 October, 2026 |
| Lens V Sporting CP |
| Sabah FK V Slavia Prague |
| Arsenal V Lille |
| Atletico Madrid V Manchester United |
| Galatasaray V Barcelona |
| Inter V Club Brugge |
| RB Leipzig V PSV Eindhoven |
| Viking V Bayern Munich |
| Villarreal V SSC Napoli |
