Stavanger: Bayern stars must be careful when celebrating goals

If Bayern play tonight at Viking Stavanger at 9:00 p.m. live on Sky the second match in the group stage of the Champions League, the goal‑celebration behaviour of the Munich side could be decisive. Bayern’s offensive star Michael Oliseh is at the centre, because already in the first round five goals were scored against Bodø/Glimt.

Strict Supervision by the Referee

Referee Georgi Kabakov watches the celebrations closely. Just under three weeks ago he showed in the Nations League match between Austria and Israel in Linz that he does not tolerate exaggerated gestures: He sent the Israeli player Abu Farkhi off with a yellow‑red card after a dubious corner‑flag gesture. Austria then won the match 3‑1 with a man advantage.

That Kabakov is allowed to referee in the Champions League again proves that the refereeing bosses accept his strict interpretation of the rules. Nevertheless, a year ago he was suspended for a month for “insufficient performance as a video assistant.”

Bayern prepares for artificial turf

Bayern take the match in Stavanger seriously, not only because of the opponent but also because of the surface. This is only the second compulsory match for the German record champions on artificial turf – the first was on 22 November 2006, a 2‑2 draw against Spartak Moscow.

Coach Vincent Kompany therefore moved the final training from the usual Säbener Straße to the plastic green on site. “I have never played on artificial turf in my 20 years,” said Kompany, to give the stars a feel for the ground and shoe choice.

An Austrian is also on duty on Tuesday: Sebastian Gishamer will officiate on his 38th birthday the match between Sabah FC from Azerbaijan and Slavia Prague in Baku at 18:45. He already celebrated his debut in the top tier in November at Qarabag Agdam against Chelsea, also in Azerbaijan.