Kompany Demands Bayern Focus Against Viking in Champions League

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany is demanding full concentration from his players ahead of their Champions League encounter with Viking FK in Stavanger, Norway, after a 2-2 draw against FC Augsburg exposed the risks of losing control of a match. The German champions are also preparing for an unfamiliar artificial surface, but Kompany insists that neither the opposition nor the playing conditions should distract his team from its objectives.

Bayern enter the contest after opening their European campaign with a 5-0 victory over Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt. According to Livescore, the Bavarian club has scored 62 goals across its previous 22 continental matches without failing to score in any of them, highlighting the attacking consistency the team will seek to maintain against Viking.

Kompany emphasized that Bayern must approach the Norwegian fixture with the same seriousness they would bring to any major European opponent.

"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. No matter what the game brings, we'll go into it thinking that anything can happen and we're prepared for that. And my hope is it works out tomorrow," Kompany said, according to Bavarian Football Works.

The coach also compared Viking's tactical characteristics with those of Bodø/Glimt, noting that Norwegian teams can adapt their defensive formations and demonstrate considerable tactical awareness. He cautioned against relying too heavily on previous observations when preparing for an opponent that may change its approach.

"Talking about tactics, they're two teams with a back four. But against Bodø/Glimt it was suddenly a five, even though they'd never done that before. 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 back in my day and now two more teams," Kompany said.

Viking's shared coaching arrangement also drew attention during Kompany's assessment. The Bayern manager said he had experienced a similar structure at Anderlecht, where collaboration between coaches helped distribute responsibility and improve decision-making.

"I had the same thing at Anderlecht. We shared an office, watched videos, and exchanged ideas. And I was still playing at the time.

I know what it takes. It's sometimes no different when you can work well together with the coaching staff. You then make decisions together and share the responsibility.

You spend so much time together that some decisions become logical and not just a gut feeling. You need to put a lot into that relationship, but it's definitely possible," Kompany said.

Artificial turf represents another consideration for Bayern, who changed their usual travel preparations to train on the surface before the match. According to Goal.com and Yahoo Sports, the team traveled to Norway early to become familiar with the pitch, including its playing characteristics and the footwear required.

Kompany acknowledged that he had never played on artificial turf during his professional career, making advance preparation particularly useful for the squad.

"As a coach, I'm approaching the preparations as normal. Interestingly, as a player, I would have played one of my final games on artificial turf, but then COVID hit and we went into lockdown for three or four months. I then ended my career, so I never played on artificial turf throughout my entire career.

It's understandable that the topic is being raised, but it's nothing unusual for us. If I were the opposition, I'd be happy if everyone talked only about the artificial turf. But we're not going to do them that favour.

One of the reasons we flew here was to get a chance to play on it beforehand. But it won't be an issue tomorrow," Kompany said.

The coach added that modern player conditioning and careful preparation should help Bayern manage the demands of the match and the surrounding schedule.

"The players these days are in very good physical condition and will be extremely well prepared. We try to gather as much information as possible to ensure they stay fit. That's the difference at the highest level, allowing players to shape their careers in this way. And I expect our players to get through this phase of the season and stay fit," Kompany said.

Bayern's concerns about the playing surface also carry historical context. Goal.com reported that the club drew 2-2 with Spartak Moscow on artificial turf in 2006, prompting then-manager Felix Magath to describe the conditions as a distortion of competition. Kompany, however, has stressed that external conditions should not become an excuse for a disappointing performance.

"Our attitude is important: whether wind, rain or sun, whether in America, in Carolina with 45 degrees or at Viking with minus 5 degrees on artificial turf, it's all the same to me. I would like us to be Bayern everywhere, everywhere we fly to!" Kompany said, according to Goal.com.

Midfielder Joshua Kimmich also acknowledged the differences between artificial and natural grass but expressed confidence that improvements in playing surfaces would allow Bayern to maintain their technical standards.

"I honestly haven't played on artificial turf for a long time. It is different. I believe that artificial turf pitches have developed in recent years.

They are no longer like they were in my youth – at least I hope so. Back then, they were those very short artificial turfs, like a hockey field. Therefore, I'll let myself be surprised by what awaits us.

But I assume that you can also play very good football on artificial turf," Kimmich said, according to Goal.com.

Defender Jonathan Tah likewise warned that Bayern could not afford to underestimate the Norwegian league leaders, particularly because of their set-piece strength and willingness to attack rather than retreat into a defensive formation.

"We know they'll be confident. They're champions and top of the table. They're really good at set-pieces.

They won't hide, even if it's against Bayern. We also saw against Stuttgart that they didn't just sit back. That's not their style of play, and we're not expecting that, either."

Tah said.

Tah added that Bayern's approach must remain consistent regardless of their opponents' reputation or the expectations surrounding the match.

"It's always important that we never underestimate an opponent. There's always a lot of talk about favourites, but we don't talk like that. We focus on our potential and our game.

We always want to do that. It doesn't matter who the opponent is. We always want to give 100%."

Tah said.

Preparation also faced an overnight disruption in Stavanger. According to reports cited by Goal.com and Yahoo Sports, fireworks were set off near the Radisson Blu Atlantic hotel where Bayern were staying, with the display lasting approximately two minutes in the early hours of Tuesday. Similar disturbances had affected the club during previous European trips, including an earlier visit to Rotterdam.