Bayern Munich Starts Jonas Urbig Against Viking as Neuer Sits Out

Bayern Munich will rely on Jonas Urbig in goal for its UEFA Champions League trip to Viking in Norway on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after Manuel Neuer developed a foot problem following the team's 2-2 Bundesliga draw with Augsburg. Head coach Vincent Kompany confirmed the change on Monday, prioritizing the veteran goalkeeper's recovery over the risk of aggravating the issue.

According to ESPN and Get Football News Germany, Urbig will make his third start of the season for Bayern. The 23-year-old joined the club from Cologne last year and recently made his senior debut for Germany in a 2-0 victory over Serbia.

Neuer's absence comes after a difficult outing against Augsburg, where the 40-year-old made two uncharacteristic errors. The goalkeeper had also faced criticism over his involvement in a goal described by the source reports as the fastest conceded in Bundesliga history.

Kompany explained that Neuer's discomfort persisted after the Augsburg match and prevented him from completing training ahead of the European fixture.

"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.

We heard after the Augsburg game that he'd felt something. You never know how long it'll take, but given he couldn't train yesterday or today, it makes no sense to take any unnecessary risks. I don't know if he'll be in the squad tomorrow.

Will he start? Very likely he won't. Then we'll look ahead," Kompany said, according to Kicker.

The Bayern manager said the club had initially expected Neuer to train but reconsidered when the problem failed to improve. He emphasized that the decision was intended to avoid unnecessary risks rather than signal a serious injury.

"Manu is here because of how the situation has progressed. We thought he could train today. I don't want to call it an injury, but when you feel something and it doesn't get better. At some point you realise we need to do something, and we'll do that by taking no risk if he doesn't feel 100 percent," Kompany added.

Urbig's promotion follows a development plan that has already given him opportunities in domestic and European competition. His recent international debut also marks another step in his progress since arriving in Munich.

Kompany said the young goalkeeper had received the playing time the coaching staff intended to provide, including appearances in major competitions.

"We're on track – he's received the minutes we wanted to give him for his development. He's played in a cup final, several Champions League matches. His current call-up to the national team is a direct result of this progress. And every minute is beneficial for his development," Kompany said.

The coach also addressed the artificial playing surface expected at Viking's home ground in Stavanger, Norway, saying Bayern had arrived early to prepare for the match.

"It's not a big issue for us," Kompany said. "We've come early to do the right preparation. Tomorrow is only about football."

Bayern enter the fixture after opening their Champions League campaign with a 5-0 victory over Viking's Norwegian rivals, Bodo/Glimt. The German club will again be without Jamal Musiala, who remains sidelined with a thigh injury, leaving the coaching staff without two prominent first-team players for the trip.