Champions League: Bayern Munich Faces Chelsea In Early Group Stage Battle

‎Bayern Munich’s refreshed squad faces an early challenge in their Champions League opener at home against Chelsea, the Club World Cup champions, on Wednesday.

‎In a rematch of the 2012 final played at the same venue, settled by penalties in Chelsea’s favor, Bayern have little time to find their rhythm after a tumultuous summer, especially in attack.

‎Forwards Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller, and Mathys Tel all left in the summer. Only two replacements have been brought in: Luis Diaz, from Liverpool, and Nicolas Jackson, from Chelsea on loan.

‎With Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies sidelined by long-term injuries, Bayern’s quiet summer drew rare criticism from talisman Harry Kane.

‎Typically not one for controversy, the 32-year-old Kane described Bayern’s squad as “thin,” adding, “perhaps one of the smallest I’ve encountered in my career.”

‎Diaz has hit the ground running in Germany, recording four goals and two assists in his first five games.

‎But Chelsea, crowned Cup World Cup winners after a dominant display against Paris Saint-Germain just two months ago, are likely to pose a sterner test.

‎Like Chelsea, Bayern are expected to make it out of the group stage, but their aim is to qualify directly and avoid another two-legged knockout tie.

‎Last year, Bayern finished 12th and narrowly beat Celtic on aggregate, 3-2. Kane admitted on Saturday that the extra burden slowed their momentum later in the season.

‎”It’s important to be in the top eight because that extra game can make a big difference.

‎”Last year, playing that Celtic game home and away in our busiest period, it made a big difference, and we ended up losing a few players after that period in March.

‎”It’s important to start well.”

‎Just over 13 years since Chelsea upset Bayern in their own backyard, both sides have since won another Champions League title.

‎Muller’s summer departure leaves Bayern captain Manuel Neuer as the only player from either team set to take part on Wednesday.

‎Jackson’s hard position to be

‎Jackson came off the bench in his Bayern debut on Saturday and is unlikely to start against his parent club on Wednesday.

‎But moments after Jackson’s debut, the England captain said the Senegal striker was more than just a “back-up.”

‎”I think a lot of people assume that, but he’s someone who can play across the whole front four, and I think there’ll be many times we’ll play together.

‎”I don’t see him as a back-up – I see him as an attacking player who can help us.”

‎With Kane, Diaz, Michael Olise, and Serge Gnabry impressing for Bayern this season, Jackson will initially have limited opportunities a tough assignment for a player frequently criticised for missing crucial chances.

‎That role is familiar to former Bayern striker Claudio Pizarro, who spent nearly 15 years as a super-sub behind Mario Gomez, Mario Mandzukic, and later Robert Lewandowski.

‎Pizarro, who also had a stint at Chelsea, told AFP in Berlin on Saturday: “In my situation during my time at Bayern, I knew my job.

‎”I have to come in, score my goals, and be ready to do my thing when I have the chance.

‎”It’s a hard role to play. I hope (Jackson) will adapt like Luis (Diaz).”

‎A six-time German champion, Pizarro said Jackson’s arrival could unleash healthy competition like that which drove Bayern to the treble in 2013, a year after the painful loss to Chelsea.

‎Pizarro revealed how the rivalry between his former teammates Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery on each wing pushed Bayern to greater heights.

‎”One wanted to be the best, the other as well: Franck and Arjen. They were great for us, but they always wanted to be better than the other.

‎”It was a good fight.”