Zlatko Tripic, captain of Norwegian champions Viking FK, endured an unexpected health scare during the charter flight to Germany ahead of his club's historic Champions League opener against VfB Stuttgart. The 33-year-old winger suffered an allergic reaction triggered by excessive perfume on the aircraft, leaving him to recover with nasal spray before one of the most significant matches in Viking's history.
The incident unfolded during the journey from Stavanger to Stuttgart, where fragrances inside the cabin irritated Tripic's nose throughout the flight. "There was so much perfume on that plane," the skipper revealed at the team hotel. "I'm allergic to strong smells. My nose was terribly irritated during the entire flight." Tripic playfully blamed teammate Kristoffer Askildsen for contributing to the heavy cologne usage, quipping that his roommate was "trying to be a model." Despite the discomfort, Tripic confirmed he would be fit and ready once kick-off arrived, having used medication to clear his airways.
Calm Heads Despite Historic Occasion
Manager Morten Jensen and Tripic both projected complete composure heading into the biggest European night in Viking's existence. The Norwegian club, making their Champions League debut, faced Stuttgart, a side that finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season under Sebastian Hoeness. Jensen dismissed any notion of special preparation, emphasizing that professional footballers excel at managing pressure without disrupting their established routines. "The occasion is historic and there are probably a few players who are feeling nervous, but we are not going to do anything special," Jensen stated. "Professional footballers are good at adjusting."
Tripic reinforced his manager's philosophy, stressing that once the referee's whistle sounded, the players must channel their focus entirely toward tactical execution rather than absorbing the magnitude of the moment. The captain highlighted a crucial mental discipline: letting go of consequences and concentrating purely on the team's game plan. "It's very much about letting go of consequences, and the team has become good at that," Tripic concluded. With approximately 600 Viking supporters traveling to the MHPArena to witness their champions' European bow, the stage was set for a landmark occasion regardless of one captain's pre-match perfume ordeal.
