FootXtra – Football News & Updates FootXtra brings you the latest football news, live updates, match previews, transfer stories, and in-depth analysis from leagues and tournaments around the world. Stay connected to the beautiful game every day.
Chelsea suffered an early set-back on their return to the Champions League as Bayern Munich raced into a two-goal lead before Cole Palmer pulled one back at the Allianz Arena.
A Trevor Chalobah own goal and Harry Kane penalty put the German champions in a commanding position approaching the half-hour mark, before Palmer finished sublimely to halve the deficit.
On Enzo Maresca’s coaching debut in Europe’s elite competition, the Blues began brightly at the site where the club lifted their first-ever Champions League trophy in 2012.
However, they quickly found themselves in trouble as Chalobah turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Dayot Upamecano, after a dangerous Michael Olise cross.
Little over five minutes later, Kane doubled the hosts’ advantage when he won and dispatched a penalty following a challenge from Moises Caicedo.
But just two minutes later, Maresca’s men were given a lifeline when Palmer clipped a wonderful effort past Manuel Neuer, who was making his 151st appearance in the competition, and into the roof of the goal.
It brought Chelsea firmly back into the tie and they ended the half just as they started it.
