Why boot selection is key for Bayern against Viking

Bayern will play their first away match of this Champions League season against Viking on Tuesday evening. One thing that’s different in Norway is that the game will be played on an artificial pitch. For the German record champions, who are used to playing on high-quality hybrid turf in their day-to-day matches, this means an adjustment – technically, physically and in terms of their choice of footwear.

Different surface, different feel

Bayern play on hybrid turf at the Allianz Arena and in the training at Säbener Straße. This consists of natural grass reinforced with artificial fibres. The natural grass remains the foundation of the pitch. It ensures the familiar feel of the ball, a natural bounce and a surface that gives slightly underfoot. The synthetic fibres provide additional stability to the turf and make it more resilient.

In Stavanger, on the other hand, the surface is entirely artificial. Modern artificial turf pitches consist of synthetic fibres that are stabilised with sand and, depending on the system, other infill materials. They are particularly durable, can be played on all year round and are less affected by weather and growing conditions, explained Peter Sauer, head groundsman at Bayern. Artificial turf therefore offers major advantages, particularly in regions with long winters, plenty of rain and comparatively little natural light. 

A different roll and bounce

For the players, however, the surface feels different. The ball can travel slightly faster and bounce differently. The interaction between the boots and the turf also changes. During changes of direction, sprints and sudden stops, the surface and traction react differently to how they would on hybrid turf. In addition, artificial turf generally feels harder and offers less natural cushioning.

“I think it would be negligent of us, as a team that plays 99 percent of our matches on grass and now has an important match on artificial turf, not to travel there in advance,” said board member for sport Max Eberl after Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Augsburg. “We want to get a feel for the artificial pitch and see what it’s like. For me, that’s not a big story at all, but completely normal.” Bayern therefore held their final training session ahead of the Champions League match in Stavanger on Monday evening at the stadium.

Sauer explained just how much conditions can vary: “Not all artificial turf is the same. It depends on how old the surface is, what infill has been used and what the surface’s cushioning properties are. Compared to natural grass, it feels duller, gives way less and the ball bounces differently, and the ball usually rolls much faster too.”

Need to get used to the surface

Harry Kane knows this particular challenge from personal experience. The England captain last played on artificial turf with the Three Lions in Lithuania in 2017. “We won’t change the way we play. You just need a moment to get used to the surface. It puts a bit more strain on your knees and ankles. With the right boots, though, that shouldn’t be a major problem. It’s a good thing we’re playing there in the autumn rather than in winter, otherwise the difference would be greater.”

It was precisely this adaptation that was the focus of the preparations in Stavanger. It is not the basic game plan that is to change, but rather the aim is to develop a feel for the surface as early as possible. How fast does the ball roll? How much grip do the boots provide? How does the pitch behave during turns and sprints? The best way to find answers to these questions is on the pitch itself.

“To be honest, I haven’t played on artificial turf for quite some time. It really is different,” Joshua Kimmich also said on Saturday. “I think artificial pitches have come a long way. They’re not like the ones I used to play on as a youth. But I reckon we can play some very good football on artificial turf.”

Kompany: ‘We want to be Bayern everywhere’

Vincent Kompany also emphasised that the artificial pitch should not be used as an excuse. At the same time, he said it was important to give the team the chance to familiarise themselves with the conditions in good time. “In my 20-year career, I never played on artificial turf. And so I thought, if the players are going to have to do this for the first time, then perhaps we’d be better off training there once so we can get a feel for what sort of boots to wear. I’d rather not find that out on the day of the match but a day beforehand. Our attitude – and this is important, as I’ve said before – is that whether it’s wind, rain or sunshine, whether it was in Carolina in the US at 45 degrees or at the Viking Stadium in Stavanger at perhaps minus five degrees on artificial turf, it makes no difference to me. I’d like us to be Bayern wherever we go. But it feels like this is the right decision so that we can gather a bit more information before the match.”

Bayern therefore held their training session on artificial turf on Monday, the day before the match. As well as tactical drills, a focus of the session was on boots. Depending on the condition of the artificial turf, the right stud configuration can be crucial for ensuring sufficient grip without placing unnecessary strain on the knees and ankles.

A rare event

Competitive matches on artificial turf are a rarity for the Munich men’s team. To date, Bayern have played just one competitive match on this surface. That was on 22 November 2006, against Spartak Moscow in the Champions League. FCB drew 2-2 at the Luzhniki Stadium, with Claudio Pizarro scoring both of Munich’s goals. FC Bayern Women also have experience on artificial turf. On 17 November 2016, they won 4-0 away at Russian club Rossiyanka. Furthermore, Germany’s women played their World Cup qualifier against Norway at the stadium in Stavanger in March just gone, with Bayern’s Giulia Gwinn and Franziska Kett featuring in the 4-0 victory. History shows that whilst an unfamiliar surface changes the conditions, it does not alter the team’s fundamental approach. In Stavanger, the challenge for Bayern will be to adapt quickly to the surface, maintain their own routines and play their natural game even on artificial turf.