FC Bayern Munich drew 3-3 against Viking Stavanger in a Champions League fixture after giving up a potential victory, prompting sharp criticism from analysts regarding the team’s defensive performance.
Late Collapse in Norway
The German powerhouse traveled to Norway for the European fixture, only to drop points in the closing moments of regulation time. Viking Stavanger capitalized on defensive disorganization when Herman Haugen scored in the 90th minute to equalize at 3-3. The dramatic late goal completed a turbulent night that saw Bayern struggle to protect their advantage after playing the latter stages of the match with ten men following a red card.
Mustafi and Henning Fault Davies on the Winner
Shkodran Mustafi, serving as a co-trainer for Germany’s U21 national team and working as an analyst for Amazon Prime, directed specific criticism at left-back Alphonso Davies for his role in Stavanger’s third goal. “Davies is only watching the ball. He runs toward his own goal and doesn’t even see that someone is there at the back,” Mustafi stated during the broadcast.
The 2014 World Cup winner added that the defender neglected basic defensive principles when facing the cross. “He also doesn’t go properly to the ball. He simply has to stand open, has to pick up the striker, has to block him—prevent him from getting it. And if worst comes to worst and neither of them gets to the header, then the ball goes out the back,” Mustafi said.
Fellow analyst Josephine Henning echoed those concerns regarding the defensive sequence. Henning noted that the defender allowed himself to be pushed off balance rather than aggressively contesting the aerial duel.
Red Card Disruption and Defensive Breakdowns
The defensive breakdown occurred while Bayern labored in a numerical disadvantage. Midfielder Michael Olise received a second yellow card in the 74th minute, forcing his team to defend their lead with ten players for the remainder of the encounter. Just before Haugen’s equalizer, Konrad Laimer and Joshua Kimmich lost possession on the right flank to Jesper Daland and Zlatko Tripic. Tripic subsequently delivered the cross into the penalty area that resulted in the decisive header.
Mustafi emphasized that defensive concentration becomes paramount when a side is reduced to ten men. He explained that players must constantly check their shoulders and locate oncoming attackers inside a crowded box rather than ball-watching.
Questions Surrounding Squad Stability
Sporting director Max Eberl also voiced frustration over the missed opportunity to claim all three points in Norway.
