Preview: Bayern set for Champions League encounter with Club World Cup champions Chelsea

Curtain up, floodlights on – the Champions League is finally back! FC Bayern start with a real top-class match straight away as Chelsea FC visit the Allianz Arena on Wednesday (live text and free Web Radio commentary from 21:00 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). History, emotions, great moments – both clubs have left their mark on Europe’s premier club competition, now a new chapter begins. Find all the important info on the game in the preview.

Final training, press conference & more – catch up on what happened on the eve of the match:

Latest news from Bayern

Five matches, five wins – FC Bayern have made a perfect start to the new season. After the Supercup success at Stuttgart (2-1) and the 3-2 win at Wiesbaden in the first round of the DFB Cup, everything’s also gone to plan in the Bundesliga so far. The 6-0 statement victory in the opener against RB Leipzig was followed by a 3-2 win in the local derby against FC Augsburg. Then last weekend, Hamburger SV also felt the full force of the Munich attack, as Bayern sent the promoted side packing with a 5-0 drubbing.

The eagerly awaited new Champions League campaign now kicks off with a considerable task against Club World Cup winners Chelsea. Vincent Kompany and Co have the highest aspirations. “We want to win the Champions League, everyone's 100 percent up for this competition,” declared the head coach at Tuesday’s press conference. Of course, his team are only concentrating on the Blues for now, but “the dream remains” in the back of their minds. Goal-getter Harry Kane, who has already racked up an incredible eight goals and three assists in the five competitive matches so far this season, also knows that maximum performance is required against the West Londoners. “We feel very good right now, it's going to be a great game under the lights,” said the Englishman.

Bayern take a remarkable run into their opening match against Chelsea:

The opponents: Chelsea

The visitors are also unbeaten so far in the current season. After a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, the Blues claimed their first two wins in the Premier League, beating West Ham United 5-1 and Fulham 2-0. Enzo Maresca’s side showed character against Brentford at the weekend to come from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the second half, only to concede the equaliser in stoppage time. With eight points after four matches, Chelsea sit fifth in the table.

FC Bayern legend Claudio Pizarro recalls his season with Chelsea and analyses the upcoming opponents:

The team news

Bayern remain without long-term absentees Alphonso Davies (cruciate ligament tear), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal fracture) and Jamal Musiala (dislocated ankle and fractured fibula). In addition, Raphaël Guerreiro sustained an injury to his stomach muscles against HSV and will also miss out. “It's not serious with Rapha, he might even return against Hoffenheim,” revealed Kompany at the press conference.

For Chelsea, it remains to be seen what part Cole Palmer will play after he made his comeback from injury as a substitute at the weekend. Coach Maresca also confirmed at his press conference on Tuesday evening that Robert Sanchez will start in goal.

The facts on the meeting with the Blues:

What the coaches say