Bayern full of confidence and motivation for opener against Dinamo Zagreb

The Champions League finally returns, and Bayern begin the new league phase at home to Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday (kick-off at 9pm CEST, live text commentary and free web radio on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). Here’s all you need to know ahead of taking on the Croatian champions in our preview.

Recap all the build-up with press conferences, training and more:

Latest news

Bayern kick off their European campaign with plenty of momentum after winning all four of their competitive fixtures so far this season. Saturday’s 6-1 win away at promoted Holstein Kiel even sent the Munich side top of the Bundesliga table. “We’re full of confidence with four wins. We want to take that momentum into the game against Dinamo,” said captain Manuel Neuer at Monday’s press conference.

Going into the new league phase (find out more about the new format here), the task for Bayern is to get their first points on the board. “It feels like every game counts a bit more. It’ll be important to approach things 100 percent serious. We want to start with a win on Tuesday,” added Joshua Kimmich.

The fact that this season’s final will also be played in Munich is obviously an extra incentive. “The motivation in the team is great. We want to get there. But we need to do our bit from the first game,” Neuer continued. Coach Vincent Kompany also stressed the importance of starting well: “The dream is there. Hopefully we can let the fans dream for a long time. The main thing for me is that we show it on the pitch. We have a game against a tough opponent tomorrow. The important thing is we play well and win.”

Bayern started with a win in their last 20 Champions League campaigns:

Opponent: Dinamo Zagreb

Dinamo arrive in Munich hurting after a 1-0 loss to arch-rivals Hadjuk Split in the league over the weekend. It was the first defeat of the season for Croatia’s defending champions, having won four and drawn one of their first five. Sergej Jakirovic’s team qualified for the champions league thanks to a 5-0 play-off victory over Qarabag.

“They’re a talented, technically good team. They’re used to having the ball a lot in the final third and finding gaps,” said Kompany in analysis. “They’re good at defending their box, allowing little space. We want to impress our game on them.”

We spoke with former Bayern player Ivica Olice about Dinamo:

Team news

As well as long-term absentees Hiroki Ito (metatarsal), Josip Stanisic (knee), Daniel Peretz (muscular) and Arijon Ibrahimovic (muscular), Bayern are now also without Sacha Boey after the right-back tore the meniscus in his left knee and had to have surgery.

Zagreb are missing Mauro Perkovic (knee) and Sadegh Moharrami (cruciate ligament).

Read up on the facts ahead of the match:

What the coaches say

Check out the photos from the build-up on Monday: