European Nights Dispatch: Bayern Munich opened their UEFA Champions League campaign with a ruthless 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt, sending an early statement across the competition as Harry Kane warned that the German side will be a difficult opponent for anyone.
Bayern swept aside last season’s European surprise package in their tournament debut, with Kane among the five scorers. The scale of the victory gave the Bundesliga club an emphatic start and underlined their ambition to carry domestic strength onto the continental stage.
Kane delivers Bayern warning
After the final whistle, the England captain said Bayern have benefited from another year working under their coach and are increasingly comfortable with the demands of his system.
“We are a threat to every team,” Kane said. “We have had another year with the coach and have understood his ideas better. We remain humble, but teams will find it hard against us, both with and without the ball.”
For Bodo/Glimt, the defeat was a harsh introduction to this season’s Champions League challenge. Bayern, however, have put themselves immediately among the sides to watch, beginning their European week with five goals and a clean sheet.
Ballon d’Or focus remains secondary
Kane was also asked about the 2026 Ballon d’Or, which is due to be awarded on 26 October. He is considered one of the prominent nominees after what he described as a special individual season, although he insisted the vote is beyond his control.
“I am proud to be nominated alongside my team-mates, but it is out of my hands and comes down to the voters,” Kane said. “Last season was special personally, but all I can do now is focus on this season.”
Bayern’s attention will therefore remain on turning an opening-night demolition into momentum for the weeks ahead. Their first Champions League message was unmistakable: opponents will have to deal with a side confident in possession, organised without it and led by a forward unwilling to look beyond the next European test.
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Bayern Munich crush Bodo/Glimt 5-0 as Harry Kane sends Champions League warning
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Bayern Munich began their Champions League campaign with a 5-0 win over Bodo/Glimt, as Harry Kane warned rivals that the German side are a threat with and without the ball.
