Viggósdóttir leading Bayern to new home | OneFootball

Unterhaching will welcome visitors from the world of European football on Tuesday evening as Manchester City come to town and the Champions League makes its debut here. And for FC Bayern Women, it’s an evening that’s set to be unforgettable as they begin life at a new home. The lights will be on as the ground in the south of Munich hosts its first-ever competitive fixture for its new owners and becomes a major European stage. But for Bayern and their captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir, Unterhaching is set to be more than just the backdrop for a single match. A new home for women’s football is set to emerge here.

Iceland’s most-capped player speaks about the club’s plans with great conviction. The captain sees an opportunity to create a place where the team, the fans and the club can forge a bond that will last for years to come. “For me, it’s not just about the stadium; it’s about the bigger picture,” she says. The 31-year-old knows that a sense of home in football isn’t simply created overnight. It is built through repetition, through people, through memories.

🎟️ Head here for tickets for next week’s Champions League match against Manchester City. Applications for the Real Madrid and Barcelona ties can be made here.

A long journey to begin the adventure

Her own Champions League journey began in the 2012/13 season. Viggósdóttir was 16 years old. Playing for Stjarnan, she faced Zorky Krasnogorsk, first at home, followed by her first away match in Europe’s top women’s competition. Even the journey there was an adventure. First, the team flew to Finland, then travelled on via Estonia. This was followed by a train journey through Russia lasting several hours.

Even the first pitch was a far cry from what we now associate with top-level European football. She recalls a lovely stadium. However, the match was played on a pitch behind it. The grass was said to have been long, and the surface uneven. A remarkable first impression of the Champions League, which, looking back, seems almost symbolic. Years later, Viggósdóttir is captain of FC Bayern Women and one of Europe’s best centre-backs. 

A calming influence

She describes being able to lead the Munich women through memorable Champions League nights as “a special feeling” and “a truly great honour”. Her approach to leadership is remarkable. She doesn’t want to put on a big show but rather to offer reliability above all else. “I try to instil calm and strength, and to be there for the girls when they need me.” She wants to be someone “they can rely on”.

Viggósdóttir does not try to drown out the noise of a big match. The Icelander tries to counter it with something else: calm. Perhaps this also explains her remarkable consistency. Despite her vast experience, she does not regard herself as a player who has reached her full potential. “I’m never really satisfied.” Not because she would play down her achievements, but because she believes that development is never complete. “I know I can improve.” Even 14 years after her first Champions League match, she remains open to new ideas.

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The lowdown on FC Bayern Women’s first Champions League opponent

A joke becomes reality

It’s this attitude that makes her well suited to a Champions League season that’s presented Bayern with a challenging task right from the start. Before the draw, the players were sitting in the gym speculating about which opponents they might be drawn against, as Viggósdóttir describes. City from Pot 3? Real Madrid from Pot 2? “It was a bit of a joke,” she says. Then the joke became reality. Sometimes football doesn’t need a scriptwriter. “This is the Champions League. You have to play against the best teams.” Of course, the league phase is difficult, but that’s precisely where the opportunity lies. “The tough route could actually be really good for the team.” Bayern’s clear aim is to finish in the top four. Yet Viggósdóttir is deliberately not looking any further ahead than the next fixture. “We have to take it one match at a time.” The first chapter unfolds on Tuesday in Unterhaching.

Viggósdóttir is already familiar with the ground. During her first match there two years ago against Juventus, the place still felt new and unfamiliar to her. This was partly because she loves having a set routine. That feeling changed during the match against Paris FC in August. It was the spectators, in particular, who made all the difference. “The atmosphere was incredible; it felt really good after just a short while.”

Investing in the next generation

What particularly interests Viggósdóttir about the project is not just the question of how many people are sitting in the stands. Her focus is on the structures that Bayern aim to put in place for women’s football. “I think what the club is doing here is incredibly appealing to future players.” That is the real significance of what fascinates her about Unterhaching. A new home isn’t just a place where the current team plays. It’s also a place where the next generation of players can develop. She therefore wholeheartedly welcomes the direction Bayern has taken. “It’s an investment in the future,” she insists.

Man City the first test

Manchester City will be a particular test for Bayern, as the captain is well aware. The champions of England like to move the ball, rotate and constantly reposition themselves in spaces. Viggósdóttir expects a “very evenly matched game” between two teams whose playing styles are similar.

The captain is looking forward to all that. She’s also looking forward to her first clash with Khadija Shaw, the Citizens’ top goalscorer. On Tuesday, she will once again lead her team onto the pitch. Her Champions League journey began at the age of 16 with a flight to Finland and a train journey through Russia. This time, the journey is shorter, but the expectations are higher. Unterhaching is set to be not just a venue, but the new home of the Bayern women’s team.

🎟️ Head here for tickets for next week’s Champions League match against Manchester City. Applications for the Real Madrid and Barcelona ties can be made here.

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