Zlatko Tripić ‘unbelievably happy, proud’ after helping Viking to 3-3 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich

· BavarianFW

Bayern Munich’s 3-3 draw with Viking was certainly the biggest Champions League upset of Matchday 2 thus far. The Norwegian side, who had not even qualified for the tournament last season, stunned the Bavarians early to take a 2-0 lead in halftime. Though the visitors from Munich managed to claw back the deficit and even […]

Bayern Munich’s 3-3 draw with Viking was certainly the biggest Champions League upset of Matchday 2 thus far. The Norwegian side, who had not even qualified for the tournament last season, stunned the Bavarians early to take a 2-0 lead in halftime. Though the visitors from Munich managed to claw back the deficit and even go ahead 3-2 in the 71st minute, Michael Olise’s red card for throwing the ball in the face of Viking captain Zlatko Tripić proved crucial in reversing momentum and seeing the hosts eventually secure an equalizer in the final minutes of the match for the game to end 3-3.

However, Olise did not throw the ball into Tripić’s face for no reason. The forward had been fouling Bayern players, including Olise, all day, including an intentional and planned clothesline in the face of Konrad Laimer. Through his antics and fouls, he riled up the Bayern players enough to convince Olise to deck him in the face.

Not only was Tripić involved in seeing Bayern reduced to 10 men, he proved to be a thorn in Bayern’s side through what he did with the ball at his feet as well. The 33-year-old veteran lifted in the corner that saw Viking that the lead in the 2nd minute and he was the one who crossed the ball in for the equalizer in the 90th minute.

Both as a wrestler and a footballer, Tripić hit Bayern where it hurts.

After the match, the Norwegian international was overjoyed with the result.

> “We’re playing against some of the best players in the world, yet we still managed to take a 2-0 lead. I think we played an incredibly solid match,” Tripić said happily (as captured by @iMiaSanMia ). “We used everything we had. We’ve gained a bit of European experience. I’m just so unbelievably happy. I could have played another 90 minutes. I’m so incredibly proud. I’ve waited 34 years for this.”

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