Bayern Munich begin their Champions League campaign at home to Bodø/Glimt with a warning from last season already written into the fixture. The Norwegian visitors arrive at the Allianz Arena after a European run in which they defeated Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter, and will see a Bayern side still searching for full rhythm.
Bayern Munich v Bodø/Glimt: Champions League night at the Allianz Arena
Quick facts
- Competition: Champions League, opening match for Bayern Munich.
- Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich.
- Kick-off: 21:00.
- Referee: Rade Obrenovic of Slovenia.
- Bayern opened the Bundesliga with a 5-1 win over Stuttgart before drawing 0-0 with promoted Schalke.
- Harry Kane has stated that Bayern’s target is to win the competition.
Vincent Kompany’s Bundesliga champions have the firepower to make a commanding start. Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz form the attacking core, with Bayern expecting their front three to provide the cutting edge that was missing in the goalless draw against Schalke.
That stalemate came only a week after the 5-1 opening-day win over Stuttgart, underlining that Bayern have not yet reached their highest level. Bodø/Glimt, accustomed to embracing major occasions, travel to Bavaria believing this may be the moment to test them.
Jamal Musiala remains Bayern’s principal uncertainty. He returned against Schalke after several weeks out following collapses in two pre-season friendlies caused by a neurological disorder, but he is not yet ready to dictate Bayern’s game as usual.
Brown or Ismael Saibari are expected to operate behind the forwards, with Brown listed to start in the projected XI. Joshua Kimmich and Pavlocic should provide the midfield base, while Manuel Neuer returns to European duty behind a defence featuring Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah.
Bodø/Glimt have had to reshape their attack after the departure of Høgh to Celtic. Helmersen now carries the central-forward responsibility, with Jens Petter Hauge and Brynhildsen supplying support from wider positions.
The visitors’ breakthrough run last term turned a modest Norwegian club into one of the competition’s outstanding stories. Winning at the Allianz would immediately place them back among this season’s European disruptors; for Bayern, anything less than a decisive opening result would prolong the sense that their campaign has yet to find its stride.
Projected line-ups
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlocic; Olise, Brown, Luis Díaz; Kane.
Bodø/Glimt: Haikin; Sjovold, Nielsen, Bjortuft, Bjorkan; Auklend, Berg, Fet; Hauge, Helmersen, Brynhildsen.
SEO title: Bayern Munich v Bodø/Glimt: Champions League opener at Allianz Arena
SEO description: Bayern Munich host Bodø/Glimt in their Champions League opener, with Kane, Olise and Luis Díaz leading the home attack as the Norwegian side chase another major European upset.
