Bayern Munich’s head coach Vincent Kompany announced that veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will miss Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Viking due to a minor foot problem. The decision follows Neuer’s two unusual mistakes in the 2‑2 Bundesliga draw with Augsburg, which raised concerns about his fitness. Kompany explained that Neuer has been unable to train since the match and that the club is taking a cautious approach to avoid any unnecessary risk. He said, “We heard after the Augsburg game that he’d felt something. You never know how long it will take, but given he couldn’t train yesterday or today, it makes no sense to take any unnecessary risks.”
Kompany confirmed that the 23‑year‑old Jonas Urbig will start in goal. Urbig, who joined Bayern from 1. FC Köln last season, is already being groomed as Neuer’s eventual successor. Kompany noted that the club began integrating Urbig into the squad from the moment he arrived, and that the minutes he has earned so far are “good for his development.” Urbig recently made his senior debut for Germany in a 2‑0 win over Serbia, further cementing his status as a rising talent.
Bayern’s Champions League campaign began with a convincing 5‑0 victory over Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, the club that will host the upcoming match in Stavanger. Kompany expressed confidence in the team’s ability to handle the artificial turf, stating, “It’s not a big issue for us. We’ve come early to do the right preparation. Tomorrow is only about football.” He also mentioned that midfielder Jamal Musiala remains sidelined with a thigh injury, but the squad is otherwise fit for the trip.
The decision to sideline Neuer is a precautionary one, with Kompany emphasizing that the club will not label it an injury until it becomes clear that recovery will take longer. The focus remains on ensuring the team is fully prepared for the Champions League fixture, with Urbig gaining valuable experience in a high‑level competition. Bayern’s next steps will involve monitoring Neuer’s condition closely and preparing Urbig to step into the role if the situation does not improve.