The UEFA Champions League league phase kicks off this week, and it’s the first time in two years that Chelsea will be a part of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
However, the Blues have not been handed an easy set of fixtures for the first phase of the tournament. They travel to Germany to take on Bayern Munich in matchweek one of the competition.
Both teams have made unbeaten starts to their respective domestic campaigns. The German side have won each of their three Bundesliga games in 2025/26, scoring 14 goals and conceding just two.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have won two and drawn two of their four Premier League games, all of which have been against fellow clubs from London.
While Bayern start the game as favourites on home soil, Chelsea will believe they can cause an upset given the quality they have at their disposal. They also have fond memories of playing at the Allianz Arena, where they won this competition for the first time in 2012.
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Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Boasting a perfect record in their domestic league, the home side come into this League expecting a win, but this will be a challenge unlike any Bayern Munich have faced this season.
The Bavarians will be without some key players. For instance, former Chelsea youngster Jamal Musiala is out as he continues to recover from the leg and ankle break he suffered at the Club World Cup.
Musiala is joined on the treatment table by defenders Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies, and Kompany’s left-back dilemma is now further complicated by a rib injury to Raphael Guerreiro, who was brought on at halftime against Hamburg before having to come off again 17 minutes later.
Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson can play against his parent club, although he is likely to start on the bench as he backs up England star Harry Kane.
Bayern Munich predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Neuer (GK) — Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic — Kimmich, Pavlovic — Olise, Gnabry, Diaz — Kane
Injured: Musiala (ankle), Ito (foot), Davies (knee), Guerreiro (rib)
Suspended: None
Chelsea’s talisman, Cole Palmer, is expected to start after coming off the bench to score in their last league game against Brentford on Saturday.
However, the visitors will be without Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, and the banned Mykhaylo Mudryk. Essugo’s absence meant that Chelsea could officially add Facundo Buonanotte to their European roster after he was initially left off.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Estevao Willian is a doubt for the Blues after missing Saturday’s game through illness.
Chelsea predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella — Fernandez, Caicedo — Neto, Palmer, Garnacho — Pedro
Injured: Delap (hamstring), Colwill (ACL), Badiashile (unspecified), Lavia (unspecified), Essugo (thigh)
Suspended: Mudryk (Doping violation)
MORE: A deeper breakdown of Chelsea’s full Champions League squad for 2025/26
Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea match details
- Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
- Kick off time: 9 p.m. local time / 3 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. PT
- Location: Allianz Arena, Munich (Germany)
- Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase Matchday 1
- Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez (ESP)
- VAR: Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP)
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