FC Bayern was frustrated by Loris Karius last Saturday. Despite 15 shots on goal and an expected goals (xG) value of 1.70, the Munich team failed to score in their 0-0 draw at Schalke. This brought to an end an impressive streak of 59 consecutive competitive matches in which the record champions had scored at least once.
However, Vincent Kompany’s team doesn’t have much time to dwell on the missed opportunities. The new Champions League season kicks off as early as Thursday against Bodø/Glimt. And, of all places, that’s where the next difficult goalkeeping hurdle awaits.
Nikita Haikin drew attention last season with exceptional performances. The Bodø/Glimt goalkeeper made a total of 74 saves in twelve Champions League matches. No other goalkeeper managed more. By comparison: Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois followed with 53 saves, while Bayern captain Manuel Neuer had 37.
Haikin played in all twelve of his team’s matches, spending a total of 1,110 minutes between the posts. On average, the 30-year-old made about 5.5 saves per 90 minutes.
Haikin shone against Europe’s top clubs
Haikin’s performances against several European powerhouses demonstrate that these numbers weren’t the result of isolated outliers.
Against Juventus, he saved twelve of the 15 shots on goal. Although Bodø/Glimt lost 2–3, Haikin prevented a much heavier defeat.
Borussia Dortmund also got a taste of the strong goalkeeper’s skills. In the 2–2 draw at Signal Iduna Park, BVB fired nine shots on Haikin’s goal, seven of which he saved. Dortmund took the lead twice, but the Norwegians fought back both times.
In their surprising 2–1 victory at Atlético Madrid, he made seven saves on eight shots on goal. Haikin also played a key role in the 3–1 win over Manchester City, stopping four of five attempts.
Later, Bodø/Glimt even knocked Inter out of the Champions League. After a 3-1 win at home, the Norwegians also won 2-1 at San Siro. Haikin made another seven saves in those two matches.
The 30-year-old remains the undisputed No. 1 this season as well. Haikin started all four Champions League qualifying matches. In the Norwegian league, he has also started every game so far and has already recorded ten shutouts in 19 appearances.
Haikin had already become a hero against Lazio
Haikin had already proven in 2025 that he can perform under maximum pressure on the European stage. Against Lazio, he made eight saves over the course of 120 minutes. In the ensuing penalty shootout, he also stopped Taty Castellanos’s decisive attempt.
As a result, Bodø/Glimt became the first Norwegian club ever to advance to the semifinals of a major UEFA men’s competition.
For Bayern, this creates a curious situation ahead of the Champions League opener. On Saturday, Karius ended Munich’s 59-game scoring streak. Just five days later, Kompany’s team will face a goalkeeper who made more saves than anyone else in last season’s Champions League.
Following the scoreless draw at Schalke, Bayern’s offense now faces its next major test. On Thursday, Kane, Olise, Diaz, and the rest of the team will have to get past the very goalkeeper who has recently and consistently driven Europe’s top clubs to despair.