After a solid start to the Bundesliga campaign, Bayern Munich will turn their attention to the Champions League this week. The Bavarian club will begin their European campaign on Wednesday against Chelsea at Allianz Arena.
Bayern have managed to win all five of their competitive games this season. Along with positive results, Kompany’s men have delivered impressive performances. They have looked hungry out of possession as the team has been pressing well as a unit. On the ball, Die Roten have several difference makers which make them one of the teams to watch in Europe.
Chelsea will pose Bayern’s biggest challenge this season until now. It will be interesting to see how Die Roten emulate their domestic form on the European stage.
Team News
Bayern didn’t have a single player injured during the international break, but they ended up suffering a minor setback against Hamburger SV on Saturday. Raphael Guerreiro had to come off in the second half due to an injury. The Portuguese defender will not be fit to play against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, and Hiroki Ito remain the long-term absentees for Bayern ahead of their clash against Chelsea.
Predicted Starting XI
Manuel Neuer continued his good run of form with a clean sheet against Hamburger SV on Saturday. The German veteran has looked confident with his passing and sweeping in the early part of the season. Neuer is expected to start against Chelsea on Wednesday.
The center-back pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah will take the field at Allianz Arena against Chelsea. Both defenders have started the campaign well, so there is no need to make changes in this position for now. Josip Stanisic will play in the left-back position, while Konrad Laimer will slot in the right-back role.
Aleksandar Pavlovic played the entire 90 minutes against Hamburger on Saturday, which suggests Bayern will likely pick Leon Goretzka to partner Joshua Kimmich in central midfield.
The attacking quartet picks itself. Harry Kane will lead the line for the hosts. Serge Gnabry has been in magnificent form, so he deserves a spot in the starting XI behind Kane. Luis Diaz will start on the left flank, while Michael Olise will play on the right. Nicolas Jackson will have a crucial role to play when he comes on in the second half against his parent club.
Predicted Starting XI: Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Goretzka; Diaz, Gnabry, Olise; Kane
Score Prediction
Bayern Munich 4-2 Chelsea
The two teams have a great set of attacking players. With both teams not being completely leakproof at the back, a goal-fest can be expected on Wednesday evening. Die Roten have been exceptional at Allianz Arena under Kompany, so it is fair to give them the edge in our score prediction.