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Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has sharply criticized Michael Olise following the Frenchman’s dismissal during Tuesday evening’s dramatic 3-3 Champions League draw away at Viking Stavanger. An internal club fine may be levied. The 24-year-old received the first red card of his professional career after allowing himself to be provoked by an opposition player, leaving Bayern to surrender a 3-2 lead in the closing stages.
The German record champions had already recovered from a disastrous first half in Norway. After conceding twice before the interval, Bayern fought back through a Harry Kane brace and Luis Diaz’s 71st-minute strike to establish a one-goal advantage.
Three minutes later, however, Olise received two yellow cards within seconds of each other. The winger was initially cautioned for holding Viking captain Zlatko Tripic before receiving another booking for angrily throwing the ball into his opponent’s face.
The dismissal left Bayern with ten men, and the hosts subsequently equalized through Herman Haugen to secure a surprise point.
Vincent Kompany addresses Olise incident
Kompany made no attempt to excuse Olise’s behaviour when addressing the incident after the match.
“Michael is constantly being provoked, but that’s no excuse,” the Bayern head coach noted at the post-match press conference. “It’s 100 percent his fault, and he knows that. That was incredibly stupid. You can see in his eyes that he’s sorry for what he’s done to the team. Hopefully we’ll learn from this and become stronger.”
Harry Kane criticizes Olise as Bayern consider disciplinary consequences
Speaking to Prime Video after the match, Kane acknowledged that Bayern’s numerical disadvantage had fundamentally altered the contest.
“We came out well in the second half and fought our way back,” the England captain said. “But the red card completely changed the game. He has to take responsibility for that. It was a mistake, and mistakes happen. He has to learn from it. I know Michael will be really down now. He’ll have to take responsibility for it.”
Olise’s dismissal carries an immediate sporting consequence. The French international will miss Bayern’s Champions League home fixture against Arsenal on October 21 through suspension. There may also be repercussions within the club. Asked whether Olise could receive an internal fine, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl declined to confirm any punishment, indicating that the matter would be discussed calmly.
The precise disciplinary classification could also prove relevant. Although referee Georgi Kabakov issued a second yellow card for the ball throw, Kicker subsequently questioned whether the incident might have warranted a straight red for violent conduct. The publication nevertheless considered the referee’s decision defensible, noting that Olise had not thrown the ball with full force. Eberl also agreed with the two-yellow-card assessment.
Bayern’s costly mistakes continue to frustrate Kompany
Olise’s dismissal was not the only error that frustrated Bayern’s management in Stavanger. The visitors conceded after just 71 seconds through Gianni Stensness, another disastrous opening following Manuel Neuer’s costly mistake in Saturday’s 2-2 Bundesliga draw against Augsburg. Kompany had already identified two enormous individual errors following the Augsburg result. His assessment in Norway was similarly critical.
“We made too many big mistakes at important moments and allowed our opponents to enjoy a special evening,” the Bayern coach explained.
Bayern must now prepare for Saturday evening’s Bundesliga encounter with RB Leipzig before hosting Arsenal in the Champions League next Wednesday.
