Bayern Munich travel to Norway on Tuesday, October 13, eager to secure back-to-back Champions League victories as they face Viking FK in Stavanger. A second consecutive triumph would solidify the German powerhouses’ pursuit of an automatic top-eight qualification spot in the revamped League Phase, with French-Nigerian winger Michael Olise poised to lead the offensive charge.
Viking FK endured a difficult start to their European campaign with a 3-1 setback against Stuttgart on matchday one. Nevertheless, the Norwegian outfit quickly regrouped domestically, stringing together impressive performances across the Eliteserien and national cup over the past three weeks. Halting Bayern’s juggernaut, however, presents a dramatically steeper test—particularly with Olise in blistering form, having netted four times in five German top-flight outings courtesy of his trademark cutting runs from the right wing.
Olise’s rapid ascent remains a poignant reminder of elite talent slipping through Nigeria’s grasp. Born in France to a Nigerian father and an Algerian mother, the dynamic playmaker spent his youth in the UK. The Nigeria Football Federation pursued him intensely around 2020, even initiating family discussions during his breakout years with Reading FC. Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr also pushed to call him up for AFCON qualifiers in 2019, yet Olise declined the invitation, ultimately pledging allegiance to France and featuring for Les Bleus on the global stage.
Tuesday’s fixture marks the inaugural competitive clash between Viking and Bayern Munich. The Bavarian giants enter the contest on a rich vein of form, staying undefeated across their past five fixtures (three victories, two draws) while piling up 16 goals and surrendering a mere three. That sequence features a 5-0 demolition of another Norwegian side, Bodø/Glimt, in which Olise struck twice, followed by a frustrating weekend stalemate at Augsburg where four Bayern strikes were ruled out. Star striker Harry Kane continues to orchestrate the attack, complementing his three league goals with crucial playmaking contributions.
Viking have mirrored that resilience at home, winning four of their last five outings and finding the net in each. A weekend 2-0 victory against Brann kept them neck-and-neck alongside Bodø/Glimt atop the Eliteserien table, boasting identical 53-point tallies and goal differentials. Club skipper Zlatko Tripić has been a creative dynamo with 19 assists and six goals this term, while Danish marksman Peter Christiansen leads the line with 10 strikes across all tournaments.
Tactically, Viking’s defensive flank will have its hands full. Kristoffer Haugen and the rest of the back line face the daunting task of tracking Olise, whose tendency to drift infield into half-spaces wreaks havoc on rigid defenses. Meanwhile, Christiansen will attempt to unsettle Bayern’s imposing defensive partnership of Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano by exploiting gaps behind the high defensive block.
Regarding squad availability, Bayern head coach must navigate the absences of Jamal Musiala (muscle strain) and Tarek Buchmann (ankle surgery). Olise is slated to start on the flank opposite Luis Díaz, supporting Kane alongside Ismael Saibari, with Josip Stanišić likely entering at right-back. The hosts are without injured attacking options Veton Berisha and Nicholas D’Agostino, as well as defenders Anders Bærtelsen and Sondre Bjørshol, while Kelvin Frimpong remains ineligible for the European roster. Midfield anchor Joe Bell is cleared to participate.
Predicted Lineups:
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Stanišić, Tah, Upamecano, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlović; Olise, Saibari, Díaz; Kane.
Viking FK (4-3-3): Østbø; Heggheim, Stensness, Daland, Falchener; Askildsen, Bell, Bjørdal; Christiansen, Botheim, Tripić.
Match Prediction: Viking FK 1-3 Bayern Munich. While Viking’s consistent scoring streak should allow Christiansen to find the target, Bayern’s attacking depth and Olise’s sharp form down the right flank will likely prove too potent for the hosts to contain.