Bayern Munich will alter their usual Champions League routine before Tuesday’s match at Viking Stavanger. Vincent Kompany’s squad, including Nathaniel Brown, will travel to Norway early and hold its final session at the Viking Stadium rather than at Säbener Straße.
Artificial turf changes Bayern’s preparation
Stavanger is expected to bring rain and temperatures around 14 degrees on Monday, rather than the deep Scandinavian cold that might be expected at this time of year. The main adjustment is underfoot. Viking play on an artificial surface to cope with the local weather across the year.
- Bayern will train in the away stadium on the eve of the game.
- It is the first time Kompany has moved the final training session to the match venue.
- The approach was more common during Pep Guardiola’s Bayern spell.
- The purpose is to let the players test the surface and make practical decisions, including footwear, before matchday.
Kompany said he had never played on artificial turf during a 20-year career. He wants the squad to learn how the pitch behaves a day early, rather than discovering issues on Tuesday.
A second Norwegian test
Bayern are seeking their second win from two Champions League matches. Their opening fixture against Norwegian opposition ended in a 5-0 victory over Bodø/Glimt.
Artificial turf is not entirely new territory for the club in Europe. Bayern drew 2-2 with Spartak Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium in late November 2006, during the 2006/07 Champions League campaign. Claudio Pizarro scored both Bayern goals in front of 25,000 spectators.
Kompany expects Bayern to adapt
The Bayern coach has already dealt with difficult conditions in his time in charge. At the Club World Cup in Charlotte, his side lost 1-0 to Benfica in almost 40-degree heat.
- Kompany said conditions should not alter Bayern’s identity.
- He expects the team to perform whether travelling by air or road.
- Heat, cold and artificial turf are factors to manage, not excuses.
- He also said he does not want recognition or awards for making speeches against racism.
For Stavanger, Bayern’s solution is simple: arrive early, train on the artificial pitch and carry more information into the Tuesday evening match.
