Chelsea have a tough first test in the 2025–26 Champions League, as they take on German champions Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
This fixture will forever be associated with the 2012 final, when the Blues staged a dramatic upset in Munich to win their first Champions League crown. Bayern have since dominated the head-to-head matchup, and the two teams are facing off for the first time since 2020 here.
While Vincent Kompany helped Die Roten reclaim their Bundesliga title last season, it’s typically their performance in Europe which measures the success of Bayern’s campaign. Few backed Kompany‘s side to conquer the continent for a seventh time, and they were knocked out by finalists Inter in the quarterfinals.
Two-time winners Chelsea are returning to Europe’s top table following a brief absence, with Enzo Maresca overseeing a fourth-place Premier League finish last term. The Blues have once again been busy in the transfer window, preparing their squad for a deep assault on multiple fronts, but they have their work cut out if they’re to advance straight into the round of 16, given the difficulty of their league phase draw.
On Wednesday, the visitors will encounter a Bayern side that are averaging just shy of four goals per game in all competitions.
Here’s guide to the game.
