Viking – Bayern 3–3: Olise’s slip-up costs them the win in Stavanger

FC Bayern surprisingly dropped points on the second matchday of the Champions League. In the Viking v Bayern clash on Tuesday evening in Stavanger, the German record champions could only manage a 3–3 draw. At half-time, the Munich side were already 0–2 down, but turned the match around thanks to a brace from Harry Kane, only to then lose Michael Olise to a second yellow card and concede the equaliser in the 90th minute.

Viking v Bayern: From 0–2 down to leading, and back again

Viking Stavanger got off to the better start. The Norwegians took an early lead and doubled their advantage before half-time. Their goals were no fluke: two neatly worked counter-attacks and a corner were enough for the underdogs to put the Munich side under serious pressure.

After the break, FC Bayern produced the expected response. Harry Kane scored twice and paved the way for the turnaround. Bayern were on course for an away win until the 74th minute changed everything.

Yellow-red card for Olise: ball to the face of the Viking captain

Michael Olise was initially shown a yellow card for a tactical foul after holding onto an opponent’s shirt. Immediately afterwards, a confrontation ensued with Viking captain Zlatko Tripic, who gave the Frenchman a slight push and shouted something at him. Olise then threw the ball into Tripic’s face. The Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov immediately showed him a yellow-red card.

It was the first sending-off of Olise’s professional career. Although he had picked up eight yellow cards during the previous Bundesliga season, he had never been sent off. Down to ten men, Munich were unable to hold on to their lead: the match ended 3–3 in the final minute.

Kane, Kompany and Eberl voice strong criticism

The reactions from the Bayern camp were unequivocal. Harry Kane told Prime Video that the red card had turned the whole match on its head. Olise must take responsibility for it and learn from it. It is particularly bitter that he will now miss the next big match.

Manager Vincent Kompany described the incident as “utterly stupid”. He told Olise that the Viking captain had been the smarter of the two that evening.

Sporting director Max Eberl called the incident stupid and announced that they would discuss a possible internal fine in due course. According to *Bild*, he said of Tripic that he had “played like a scumbag” and achieved exactly what he wanted.

TV pundit Christoph Kramer, whilst acknowledging that Tripic is a nuisance, emphasised that a professional should not allow himself to be provoked in that way.

Who is Zlatko Tripic?

The 33-year-old Viking captain Zlatko Tripic had it in for Olise right from the start: fouls, shoves and constant taunts. Tripic, born in Rijeka, Croatia, is no stranger to German fans. From 2015 to 2017, he played for SpVgg Greuther Fürth, but made only 39 appearances there, scoring two goals and providing two assists. His contract in Stavanger runs until December 2027.

After the match, Tripic expressed his pride at having ruffled the feathers of a world-class player and saw himself as the winner of this duel.

Why Viking are no push-over

In terms of squad value, Viking Stavanger is a minnow according to Transfermarkt, with a value of around 56 million euros. Nevertheless, Norwegian clubs are increasingly making their mark in Europe. For the first time since 1999, two Norwegian clubs – Viking and Bodø/Glimt – are competing in the Champions League at the same time, as highlighted by Sportschau.

Eight Norwegians were in Viking’s starting line-up against Bayern. The country has been focusing on developing young talent for years and has invested heavily in artificial pitches that can be used all year round. The home match against Bayern also took place on artificial turf, a surface on which the ball bounces and rolls differently and which poses additional problems for visiting teams.

Olise out against Arsenal

For Bayern, the suspension comes at an inopportune time. Olise will miss the home match against Arsenal FC this coming Wednesday at 9 pm. Following the draw in the Viking v Bayern match, Vincent Kompany’s side are now under pressure to pick up points against the London side without one of their key attacking players.