Bayern seek win over Bodø/Glimt at Allianz as Norway surprise Europe

Bayern Munich open their Champions League group campaign at the Allianz Arena against Bodø/Glimt, with Michael Olise appearing relaxed in yesterday’s training ahead of the clash that pits the Bavarian giants against the Norwegian side that surprised Europa last season.

El Bayern Munich, under coach Vincent Kompany, are listed among the great favourites to lift the Champions League trophy on 5 June 2027 in the Metropolitano, the stadium that will host the European final.

Bayern's title ambitions

The Bavarian giant aspires to raise the ‘orejona’ for a seventh time and today wants to take the first step with its league‑phase debut against Bodø/Glimt at the Allianz Arena, a match that could see the Bayeen add three points.

Bodø/Glimt's European surge

Last season the Norwegian side turned from unknowns to Europe‑respectable opponents, beating Manchester City 3‑1 and Atlético de Madrid 1‑2 in the final league rounds, then eliminating Inter 3‑1 at home and 1‑2 in Milan before falling in the round of 16 to Sporting, which overturned a 3‑0 deficit with a 5‑0 comeback in Norway.

Huge debt mountain threatens Bayern coach Vincent Kompany

Bayern Munich line‑up for the encounter reads: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Saibari, Luis Díaz; Kane, with Vincent Kompany on the bench. Bodø/Glimt will field Haikin; Sjøvold, Nielsen, Bjørtuft, Bjørkan; Auklend, Berg, Brunstad Fet; Blomberg, Helmersen, Hauge, coached by Kjetil Knutsen, under referee Rade Obrenovicč of Slovenia.

Vincent Kompany summed up the opponent: “El Bodo es una historia maravillosa para el fútbol. Cuanto más se analiza ese equipo más claro está que todo tiene sentido. Todos los jugadores corren, todos defienden y presionan. Tienen una idea clara y todos los jugadores la asumen.” Captain Manuel Neuer added, “ enfrentamos a un rival fuerte, estamos avisados.”

Jordi Archs reported that Kompany also asked patience regarding Jamal Musiala, who reappeared on Saturday in the second half of the Schalke‑Bayern match after fainting in two friendlies in August because of neurological problems. The 0‑0 draw in Gelsenkirchen has sparked doubts in a Bayern side that is no longer Bundesliga leader after sixty‑seven straight rounds at the top.

Vincent Kompany honoured in Munich as Bayern applauds a human model

Serge Gnabry could be recalled to the squad for the first time after a severe muscle injury in April prevented his participation in the World Cup with the German national team, adding another variable to Bayern’s quest for three points and a seventh European trophy.