FC Bayern had a memorable evening in the Champions League. Despite holding a 3-2 lead at one point, the Munich team could not manage more than a 3-3 draw against Norwegian champions Viking Stavanger. After falling behind 0–2, Vincent Kompany’s team staged an impressive comeback, but a red card for Michael Olise cost them a potential victory. The press is reacting to the spectacle with bold headlines.
In Norway in particular, Viking Stavanger’s surprising point has sparked enthusiasm. The local media are celebrating the underdog, which dealt the German record champions an unexpected setback.
In Germany, however, the focus is primarily on Bayern’s defensive problems and Olise’s costly mistake. Here’s an overview of the press reactions.
“Bayern Takes a Hit in Norway”
BILD uses particularly strong language following the record champions’ disappointing performance. “The Vikings run roughshod over Bayern! Three goals conceded against a no-name club,” reads the tabloid’s headline, highlighting above all the Munich team’s surprising defensive problems.
SPORT1 also describes a turbulent Champions League evening: “Wild back-and-forth in Norway! Late blow for FC Bayern.”
kicker focuses in particular on Michael Olise’s red card. “Olise’s blunder nullifies Bayern’s comeback: Stavanger celebrates a point,” reads the headline in the specialist magazine.
Sky offers a similar assessment of Kompany’s team’s performance : “Wild match in Stavanger: Bayern stumbles in Norway while down a man.”
SPOX sums up the entire drama of the match right in the headline: “Comeback, Drama, Outburst: FCB Takes a Hit in Norway.”
The Munich-based tz also sees the red card shown to the French attacking star as a decisive factor in the missed victory. “FC Bayern lets the win in Stavanger slip away after Olise’s blunder,” the paper writes.
The Süddeutsche Zeitung, on the other hand, opts for a somewhat more restrained phrasing and refers to “A truly wild game among the Vikings.”
Eurosport also focuses on the two decisive events in the closing stages: “Bayern Concedes 3–3 Just Before the End, Olise Is Sent Off: FCB Stumbles in Stavanger.”
Thus, there is broad consensus in the German media: FC Bayern cost itself a potential away victory through its own mistakes.
Norwegian media celebrate Viking’s upset
While disappointment prevails in Germany, the mood in Norway is completely different. The local media are celebrating the surprising point earned against the German record champions with headlines that are, in some cases, effusive.
The Norwegian newspaper VG runs the headline: “Bayern Lost Their Cool! Viking Stuns Munich.”
The paper is referring in particular to the frantic final minutes and Michael Olise’s red card.
Dagbladet’s reaction is even more euphoric. “The soccer world is in shock! Viking has shaken FC Bayern Munich,” the newspaper writes following the spectacular draw.
The regional newspaper Stavanger Aftenbladet also celebrates the hosts’ performance and highlights the dramatic finish.
“Red card and drama: Viking shocked the entire soccer world,” reads the headline.
For the Norwegian champions, earning a point against one of Europe’s biggest clubs is a special achievement. Playing in front of their home crowd, Viking managed to score three goals against the clear favorites, FC Bayern, and even came back from a deficit to tie the game.