Bayern Munich and Chelsea meet in an early collision of possible Champions League contenders in a key week one staging post in the new continental campaign.
The London club return to Europe’s top table laden with silverware, a Europa Conference League crown secured in Enzo Maresca’s first season and backed up with Club World Cup success during the summer. Hopes are high that Chelsea can now contend for prizes of perhaps greater meaning – though a mixed start in the Premier League continued as Brentford snatched a last-gasp equaliser at the weekend.
This will be a useful early test for Maresca’s side against a Bayern team that will harbour ambitions of another Champions League success themselves, and boast Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson in their squad.
The Germans exited at the quarter-final stage last year against an impressive Inter Milan having suffered three defeats during the league phase, and will hope for better this season. A free-scoring start in the Bundesliga, with 14 goals in three games, will leave confidence high for Harry Kane and co. ahead of their opening European outing.
Follow all of the latest from the Allianz Arena with our live blog below:
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea live
- Chelsea face Bayern Munich in a blockbuster Champions League opener | Live on TNT Sports, kick off at 8pm BST
- The Blues enter the competition as Conference League and Club World Cup champions
- Blues loanee Nicolas Jackson could face his parent club
- Bayern Munich XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovich; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
- Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Palmer, Enzo, Neto; Joao Pedro
Pre-match preparations
19:34
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Will Castle
Chelsea not distracted by Champions League during Brentford draw, says Enzo Maresca
19:30
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Will Castle
Chelsea will hope to build on Conference League and Club World Cup success with glory in Europe’s most premier competition - though a mixed start in the Premier League continued as Brentford snatched a last-gasp equaliser at the weekend.
Enzo Maresca rejected suggestions Chelsea were suffering a Champions League distraction at the Gtech.
“Joao Pedro before the game told me he was not fit a hundred per cent, better he doesn’t play,” Maresca revealed. “If I was thinking about Bayern Munich, Joao (would be) on the bench. But he played because the focus was about tonight.
“If we want to play again Champions League next season, we need to do well in the Premier League.”
Chelsea's fond memories of the Allianz
19:20
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Will Castle
Safe to say Chelsea know how to do a Champions League night right in Munich...
The biggest issue that comes with Chelsea’s historical financial discrepancies
19:10
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Miguel Delaney
In long meetings at the top of the FA and Premier League about the Chelsea breaches of agent regulations, there was one issue that caused the most debate, and could still affect outcomes. That is how much a current ownership should bear the weight of a previous ownership.
It may well set a significant precedent in football, given how legally complex the sport is becoming in what is definitively now the era of the owner.
Sources state that the prevailing view within legal teams is that all of this must be put in context of how the previous regime, of Roman Abramovich, bears all the blame, and it was self-reported by Clearlake. That is why there is an expectation that it will end with financial sanctions.
Read more:
What happened on the Champions League's opening night?
19:00
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Will Castle
On a dramatic opening night of the league phase, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a thrilling 4-4 draw and Benfica surrendered a two-goal lead to lose.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe scored two penalties as 10-man Real Madrid came from behind to launch their latest Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Marseille.
Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham both made winning starts against Spanish opposition in Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal respectively.
Here’s a round-up of what happened on Tuesday night:
Cole Palmer starts for Blues
18:54
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Will Castle
After an influential cameo off the bench against Brentford, Cole Palmer is back in Chelsea’s starting XI to face Bayern Munich.
Nicolas Jackson, meanwhile, starts on the bench against his parent club.
Confirmed team news!
18:49
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Will Castle
Bayern Munich XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovich; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Palmer, Enzo, Neto; Joao Pedro.
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) September 17, 2025
Your Champions League Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/3QZQmaiSKI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 17, 2025
The stage for tonight's clash
18:40
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Will Castle
The Champions League’s existential threat is closer than you think
18:30
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Miguel Delaney
In the days before this Champions League season began, there was considerable agitation about one big topic that may yet change its future.
The Uefa Executive Committee met on Thursday, after a lot of lobbying, to allow LaLiga to play games abroad. It was ultimately decided that the issue had so many potential complications that it required more discussion.
LaLiga’s fiery president, Javier Tebas, would instead argue it’s all very simple, and point to this Champions League week. An unprecedented six Premier League clubs are involved, showcasing the competition’s uncatchable power.
Rivals like LaLiga have to try something.
Read more:
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca highlights Nicolas Jackson advantage for Bayern Munich
18:15
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Will Castle
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is wary of Nicolas Jackson's insider knowledge as his side prepare to face Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
"I don't have any kind of problem with Nico," said Maresca. "He's a good guy, a good professional who worked well with us. That's it.
"It's a small advantage because (Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany) can ask Nico the way we work and the way we try to prepare games. He knows exactly the way we approach games.”
Predicted line-ups
18:00
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Will Castle
Bayern Munich XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovich; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro.
Chelsea team news
17:45
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Will Castle
Chelsea will once again have the option to start Cole Palmer after coming off the bench to score on his return at Brentford.
This acts as a much-needed injury reprieve, with Liam Delap among a list of absentees that also includes Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile and Dario Essugo.
Estevao could also feature, assuming he has overcome the illness that left him out of the weekend’s squad.
Bayern Munich team news
17:30
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Will Castle
Bayern Munich are plagued with a handful of defensive injuries, with Raphael Guerreiro joining Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies on the treatment table.
Jamal Musiala, once a Chelsea academy prodigy, is also unavailable as he continues his long road to recovery from a horrific leg and ankle break at the Club World Cup.
Blues loanee Nicolas Jackson is eligible to play but likely won’t get the nod ahead of Harry Kane.
Is Bayern Munich vs Chelsea on TV?
17:15
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Will Castle
Chelsea’s league phase visit to Bayern Munich in the Champions League kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 17 September at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the game on TNT Sports 2, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the game on discovery+.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea LIVE
17:00
,
Will Castle
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Chelsea’s blockbuster Champions League opener at Bayern Munich.
The London club return to Europe’s top table laden with silverware, a Europa Conference League crown secured in Enzo Maresca’s first season and backed up with Club World Cup success during the summer.
Hopes are high that Chelsea can now contend for prizes of perhaps greater meaning – though a mixed start in the Premier League continued as Brentford snatched a last-gasp equaliser at the weekend.
This will be a useful early test for Maresca’s side against a Bayern team that will harbour ambitions of another Champions League success themselves, and boast Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson in their squad.
Stay tuned for all the build-up, team news and minute-by-minute updates from Munich!
