Bayern Munich’s reshaped team is set for an early challenge when they begin their Champions League campaign at home against Club World Cup winners Chelsea on Wednesday, in a fixture that recalls the dramatic 2012 final at the same stadium, which the English side won on penalties.
The German club endured a turbulent summer as Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Mueller and Mathys Tel all departed, with only two players brought in to reinforce the attack—Luis Diaz from Liverpool and Nicolas Jackson on loan from Chelsea. Injuries have added to the difficulties, with Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies both ruled out long-term. The lack of activity in the transfer window drew rare criticism from Bayern’s leading striker, Harry Kane, who described the squad as “thin” and added that it is “maybe one of the smallest I’ve had in my career.”
Despite the challenges, Diaz has made an immediate impact, scoring four goals and providing two assists in his first five matches in Germany. Yet Chelsea, who recently lifted the Club World Cup with a commanding display against Paris Saint-Germain, are expected to present a far tougher examination of Bayern’s new-look side.
The German champions are eager to secure a direct qualification spot by finishing in the top eight, which would spare them the burden of another two-legged knockout tie. Last season, they finished twelfth and struggled to edge past Celtic 3-2 on aggregate before losing momentum later in the campaign. Kane reflected on the difficulty of that run, stressing how the additional matches affected the squad. “Last year, playing that Celtic game home and away in our busiest period made a big difference, and we ended up losing a few players after that period in March. It’s important to start well,” he said.
The absence of Mueller, who departed during the summer, leaves Manuel Neuer as the only player from either team still active who took part in the 2012 clash. Meanwhile, Jackson, who made his Bayern debut as a substitute at the weekend, is not expected to start against his parent club. Kane, however, dismissed the notion that the Senegalese forward is merely a backup option. “I think a lot of people assume that, but he’s someone who can play across the whole front four. I don’t see him as a backup—I see him as an attacking player who can help us,” he explained.
Former Bayern forward Claudio Pizarro, who also enjoyed a stint at Chelsea, noted that Jackson has a “hard role to play” but one that can be important to the squad’s progress. “In my situation, I knew my job—come in, score my goals, be ready when I get the chance. It’s a hard role to play. I hope he adapts like Luis (Diaz),” he told AFP in Berlin. Pizarro also recalled how the rivalry between his former teammates Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery pushed Bayern to success during their treble-winning campaign in 2013, saying their competitive spirit helped lift the entire team.
Chelsea, who like Bayern have gone on to win another Champions League title since that memorable night in 2012, arrive in Munich as reigning world champions and will test whether Bayern’s remodeled attack can live up to the expectations in Europe’s toughest competition.
What you should know
Bayern Munich, still reeling from a summer of departures and injuries, open their Champions League run against Chelsea in a repeat of the 2012 final.
Harry Kane has voiced concern over the squad’s depth, while Luis Diaz has quickly made an impact. Chelsea, fresh off their Club World Cup victory, are expected to provide a stern test in Munich.
