FC Bayern faces an unusual challenge in the Champions League. In their away match against Viking Stavanger, the Munich team will have to play on artificial turf. For coach Vincent Kompany, this is a unique situation that has even prompted him to adjust his usual preparation for international away games.
Following the disappointing 2-2 draw against FC Augsburg, Bayern is looking to secure another victory in the Champions League on Tuesday. However, the Munich team will have to adjust to conditions they’re hardly familiar with from their everyday Bundesliga schedule.
The artificial turf in Stavanger isn’t just an unfamiliar challenge for the players. Kompany himself has also had very little experience with this surface so far.
Kompany surprises with artificial turf confession
Even before the Augsburg match, the Bayern coach spoke about the unique conditions in Norway. The Belgian revealed that he had never played on artificial turf during his entire playing career.
“In my 20-year career, I’ve never played on artificial turf. That’s why it’s better to train there once and know what kind of cleats to wear,” Kompany explained.
To be as well-prepared as possible, the Munich team has changed its usual routine leading up to Champions League away games.
Instead of holding their final training session at Säbener Straße as usual, the last session will take place directly at Viking Stavanger’s stadium this time.
To make this happen, Bayern will travel to Norway earlier than usual. Kompany wants to give his players ample opportunity to get accustomed to the unfamiliar surface.
Bayern doesn’t want to leave anything to chance on artificial turf
The 40-year-old sees the additional training session as an important step toward minimizing any potential disadvantages compared to the hosts.
On artificial turf, both the speed of the ball and its bounce can change. In addition, the players must choose footwear that’s suitable for the specific field conditions.
For Viking Stavanger, these conditions are part of everyday life. The Norwegian club regularly plays its home games on artificial turf and is therefore accustomed to the surface.
Kompany therefore wants to gather as much insight as possible before kickoff. “We want to get as much information as possible before the game in Norway,” emphasized the Bayern coach.
Kompany: “We want to be Bayern everywhere”
Despite the unfamiliar conditions, Kompany won’t accept any excuses. The Belgian expects his team to impose their usual style of play in Stavanger as well.
“Whether it’s in America or Norway, whether the sun is shining or not—it doesn’t matter. We want to be Bayern everywhere,” the 40-year-old made clear.
The Munich team aims to play dominantly regardless of the playing surface and showcase their skills on the field.
Especially after dropping points in Augsburg, Kompany is likely to place great emphasis on a focused performance. There, individual mistakes and poor finishing prevented a potential victory.
In Stavanger, such problems should be avoided as much as possible. With this unusual preparation, the Bayern coach wants to ensure that, at the very least, the artificial turf won’t be a decisive factor on Tuesday.