Bayern Munich’s reshaped squad face a stern examination on Wednesday as they host Club World Cup holders Chelsea in their Champions League opener—a fixture that revives memories of Chelsea’s dramatic 2012 final victory in the same stadium.
The German champions enter the campaign on the back of a turbulent summer marked by significant departures in attack. Established forwards Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller and Mathys Tel all left the club, leaving Bayern short of depth. Only two reinforcements arrived: Luis Díaz from Liverpool and Nicolas Jackson, brought in on loan from Chelsea.
Injuries have compounded those challenges, with Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies sidelined long term. That lack of activity drew pointed criticism from Harry Kane, who admitted Bayern’s squad feels “thin” and “maybe one of the smallest I’ve had in my career.” Kane’s words carried weight not only because of his leadership role, but also because he is typically measured in public remarks.
Díaz, however, has made an immediate impact, registering four goals and two assists in his first five games. His form will be central to Bayern’s hopes of avoiding an early setback against a Chelsea side buoyed by their recent triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final.
Bayern’s ambitions go beyond progressing from the group stage; they want to secure a top-eight finish and avoid the added burden of an extra knockout tie. Last season, a taxing playoff against Celtic disrupted their rhythm and contributed to a late-season dip in form. Kane admitted the two-legged tie “made a big difference,” costing Bayern momentum and key players in March.
Wednesday’s clash also underscores the end of an era. With Müller’s departure, Manuel Neuer stands as the only Bayern player still active from the 2012 final. Neither side has been static since then—both clubs have each lifted the Champions League once more—but Chelsea’s upset at the Allianz Arena remains a symbolic reminder of their ability to thrive under pressure.
Jackson’s challenge
New signing Nicolas Jackson, who made his Bayern debut as a substitute on Saturday, is unlikely to feature from the start against his parent club. Yet Kane dismissed the notion that the 23-year-old will merely serve as a reserve option, highlighting his versatility across the forward line.
“I don’t see him as a back-up,” Kane explained. “He’s an attacking player who can help us, and there will be times when we play together.”
For Jackson, the task is familiar yet demanding. His finishing has been inconsistent, and Bayern’s attack already features Díaz, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, and Kane. His role may resemble that of Claudio Pizarro, the Peruvian striker who built a reputation as a reliable “super-sub” during his long Bayern career.
Pizarro, who also played briefly for Chelsea, described Jackson’s role as difficult but potentially rewarding. “In my situation, I knew my job—come in, score goals, be ready. It’s a hard role, but I hope he adapts like Luis [Díaz],” he said.
The former striker also suggested Jackson’s presence could spark competition within Bayern’s attack, similar to the rivalry between Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry that drove the club to the 2013 treble. “They were great for us, but they always wanted to outdo each other. It was a good fight,” Pizarro recalled.
As Bayern begin their European campaign, they do so with a thinner squad, heightened scrutiny, and a demanding opponent. Chelsea’s arrival in Munich may provide an early measure of whether this revamped side has the resilience to contend for continental honors.
