Joshua Kimmich ready for Bayern Munich’s artificial-pitch test at Viking

Joshua Kimmich says Bayern Munich will have to adapt quickly when they play on an artificial surface against Norwegian club Viking in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The match will be Bayern’s second fixture in the main phase of the competition, with the German side looking to build on their emphatic 5-0 victory over Danish club Bodø/Glimt in the opening round.

Kimmich acknowledged that playing on artificial turf presents a different challenge, having not experienced it for a considerable period.

“Honestly, I haven’t played on artificial turf for a long time,” the Bayern midfielder told reporters.

“It is certainly different, but I think the quality of artificial pitches has improved in recent years.”

The Germany international said he would wait to assess the playing conditions in Norway before forming a firm view on how the match would unfold.

“I’ll wait and see what awaits us there, but I expect that very good football can also be played on artificial turf,” he added.

A number of European clubs now play their home matches on pitches featuring newer generations of artificial turf, an increasingly familiar surface in continental competition.

Bayern’s trip to Viking comes after they began the Champions League’s main phase with a commanding win over Bodø/Glimt.