The Allianz Arena hums when Bayern scent goals. Harry Kane leads the line, Joshua Kimmich dictates tempo, and new arrival Nicolas Jackson faces his parent club in a Champions League subplot. Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, fresh from a European return, bring youth and ambition but face a reality check: Bayern in Munich rarely forgive.

Bayern’s rhythm
Vincent Kompany has kept Bayern purposeful. Kane pins defenders, lays off, and finishes; Jackson runs channels; Kimmich balances control. With Alphonso Davies injured, width comes from Noussair Mazraoui or Konrad Laimer rotating into wide roles. At the back, Dayot Upamecano provides the aerial edge, while Manuel Neuer remains the steady hand. Their blueprint: recover high, feed Kane quickly, and let rotations create box overloads.

Chelsea’s adjustment
Maresca builds cautiously. Cole Palmer is the creative hub, sliding between midfield and attack. Enzo Fernández anchors the middle, while Mykhailo Mudryk offers pace on the break. Reece James provides leadership from right-back when fit, with Jorrel Hato one of the youthful defensive pillars. Up front, João Pedro is the forward option to stretch Bayern’s centre-backs. Chelsea’s path is narrow: absorb, spring with Palmer’s vision, and punish in transition.

Key battles

• - Kane vs Hato: experience against youth in the box.
• - Kimmich vs Enzo Fernández: midfield brains steering tempo.
• - Mudryk vs Mazraoui: pace duel that could swing territory.
• - Set pieces: Upamecano’s height vs Chelsea’s mixed marking.

Tactical outlook & prediction
What Bayern need: Kane’s hold-up, Kimmich’s control, box overloads with Jackson.
What Chelsea need: compact lines, Palmer’s spark, ruthless finishing on breaks.

Prediction: Bayern 2–0 Chelsea. Allianz momentum too strong. If Chelsea frustrate deep into the second half, 1–1 remains possible.

Squad check (UCL list):
Bayern — Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich, Nicolas Jackson, Dayot Upamecano, Manuel Neuer, Noussair Mazraoui, Konrad Laimer.
Chelsea — Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, Mykhailo Mudryk, João Pedro, Reece James, Jorrel Hato.