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.
Defeat in Munich. #CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/mAcMCIpKgo
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.