Chelsea endured an unhappy return to the Champions League as they were beaten 3-1 by Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Featuring in Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2023, the Blues fell to a Harry Kane brace and Trevor Chalobah own goal as the German champions emerged as comfortable victors against the Club World Cup winners.
Cole Palmer produced a wonderful finish to give Enzo Maresca, who was making his Champions League debut as a coach, and his team hope. But it was largely a disappointing return to the ground where Chelsea lifted the trophy for the very first time in 2012.
For Kane and co., meanwhile, they extended their perfect start to the new season, picking up a seventh consecutive win in all competitions.
Blues start bright but fall behind
It was a promising start from the visitors, whose willingness to press high was evident from the off.
Palmer, who was making only his second Chelsea start of the season, found Enzo Fernandez with a fine pass but the Argentine midfielder could not supply the finish.
Despite the promising opening, the Blues found themselves a goal behind on 20-minutes when the lively Michael Olise skipped past Joao Pedro out wide after Bayern pushed forward from an uncontested drop-ball.
The winger’s threatening ball across was diverted into his own net by Chalobah, under pressure from Dayot Upamecano.
The hosts doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Kane went down under a challenge from Moises Caicedo.
Kane picked himself up before confidently stroking the resulting spot-kick past Robert Sanchez.
But Maresca’s men responded well and, just two minutes later, halved the deficit through Palmer. The England international exchanged a neat one-two with Malo Gusto before producing a sensational finish past Manuel Neuer, who was making his 151st Champions League appearance.
It gave the Blues hope, and Maresca’s team finished the half just how they began it.
Bayern show their class
The second period started in less frantic fashion, but Bayern twice went close to adding to their lead shortly before the hour.
On both occasions, however, Sanchez was on hand to save, first from Kane and then superbly from Olise when the playmaker looked destined to score.
But the Chelsea keeper could do little to keep Kane from bagging his brace when, on 63-minutes, the Blues gifted their hosts a third.
Gusto’s heavy touch while playing out from the back fell to Kane. With the Chelsea defence all at sea, the England captain tucked the ball home inside the far post.
Bayern had breathing space, seemingly content to take the sting out of the contest and see the remainder of the game out.
Palmer had a second goal ruled out for offside as the clock ticked over into 90 minutes, but there was to be no late fightback as Chelsea were given a stark reminder of just how unforgiving Europe’s elite club competition can be.
