Bayern’s Current Form

Bayern Munich come into this clash in strong form after a 5-0 win over Hamburg in the Bundesliga. Harry Kane scored a brace, while Serge Gnabry and Luis Díaz also impressed in attack. However, the team faces several key absences: Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, Raphaël Guerreiro, and Hiroki Ito are all sidelined with injuries. Defensively, Konrad Laimer and Josip Stanišić are expected to cover the flanks as Bayern look to carry momentum from recent victories.

How Chelsea Arrive

Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, return to the Champions League after a two-season absence. The English side also have several players unavailable: Liam Delap, Benoît Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Essugo are out, while youngsters like Estevao are still recovering from fitness issues. The good news is the return of Cole Palmer, who is expected to start behind João Pedro, supported by Enzo Fernández and Pedro Neto in attack.

What’s at Stake

This match marks the group stage opener for both teams and is a real test of character for Chelsea, who want to prove they can compete against one of Europe’s giants. For Bayern, the mission is clear: capitalize on home advantage to secure three points and reinforce their status as one of the tournament favorites. With both sides missing important players in defense and attack, any mistake could prove decisive in what promises to be a high-intensity encounter from the very start.

All the Goals