The most tantalising fixture on matchday one of the new Champions League season comes from the Allianz Arena, where kings of Germany Bayern Munich play host to Club World Cup winners Chelsea. These two teams have history - this will be the Blues' first trip back to Bavaria since lifting their first European Cup there in 2012 - but there is an extremely contemporary entity now linking them.
Nicolas Jackson could find himself lining up against his former team-mates when Bayern Munich collide with Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday. Thanks to UEFA’s competition integrity rules, the 24-year-old striker is free to face the Blues despite being on loan from Stamford Bridge.
Harry Kane admitted that Bayern Munich have a "long mountain to climb" to win the Champions League but he believes they can go all the way. The England captain, fresh off a blistering Bundesliga weekend where he netted twice in a 5-0 demolition of Hamburg, insisted that simply making up the numbers in Europe’s elite competition isn’t good enough for the German giants.
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has admitted he has spoken to Nicolas Jackson about parent club Chelsea as the two teams prepare to face off in the Champions League. The striker swapped the Blues for the German giants on loan and now he could be particularly helpful for the Bundesliga outfit. Incidentally, Kompany has highlighted a "hidden strength" Enzo Maresca's team possess.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has issued a cryptic update on whether Cole Palmer will be fit enough to face Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener. The Blues star produced a goal-scoring display off the bench against Brentford following a spell on the sidelines and now his Italian head coach has spoken about his current fitness levels before taking on the German giants.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained the club's decision to let Nicolas Jackson join Bayern Munich on a season-long loan. The striker secured a deadline day move to the German giants, just when it looked like a switch to the Bundesliga might not happen. Now, the Senegal international's current team are set to face his old employers in the Champions League.
Harry Kane has delivered an update on how his German lessons are going, with the Bayern Munich superstar still in the process of becoming bilingual. The England captain stepped out of his professional comfort zone in 2023 when completing a move to the Allianz Arena. His communication skills are improving, but there is still work to be done on the linguistics front.
Former Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has stated that big clubs like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain will have learned their lesson in the new Champions League format after their shaky performances at the start of last season. The German legend believes the top clubs have learned that they must attempt to dominate the competition from the very first round.
Ex-Germany defender Mats Hummels has sounded the alarm over football’s relentless calendar, warning that elite players risk being “worn down” by the strain. The ex-Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich star believes the workload has hit its “maximum,” raising concerns that big names could soon miss key matches due to fatigue and injuries.
Harry Kane has dismissed claims that the 2025-26 campaign will result in a “boring” procession from Bayern Munich towards the Bundesliga title. The reigning German champions have started the new season in spectacular style, picking up a maximum haul of nine points from three games - with Vincent Kompany’s side scoring 14 goals while conceding just two.
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Lothar Matthaus has provided his thoughts ahead of the first matchday of the Champions League. According to the legendary former Germany international, Bayern Munich will be one of the seven favourites to clinch the coveted continental title this season, backing the Bavarians to overcome Club World Cup holders Chelsea in their opener on Wednesday.
'The Chaaaaampions'. That's right - the most famous anthem in world football is set to ring out around Europe yet again as the 2025-26 Champions League season gets under way this week. Thirty-six teams are vying it out to lift the European Cup in Budapest on May 30, but can any of them take Paris Saint-Germain's crown away from them?
Clear your calendar for Tuesday and Wednesday nights going forward - the Champions League is back as 36 of Europe's best teams prepare to do battle across the continent over the next nine months. Last season's tournament, complete with the brand-new league phase, turned into an epic, and the 2025-26 edition of the premier club competition on the planet promises to be no different.
Wayne Rooney has lifted the lid on his unlikely bromance with former Manchester United team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger. The two played alongside one another at Old Trafford for two years and to this day they remain good friends but the German's character surprised the ex-England international.
Harry Kane has urged Bayern Munich to start their Champions League campaign strongly as they prepare to face Chelsea on Wednesday night. The England striker is determined to avoid the “stressful period” Bayern endured last season when they were forced into an extra playoff. Kane insists an early run of wins is crucial to easing the pressure.
GOAL runs through the best and worst of British players plying their trade on foreign soil. Now more than ever, British players are finding that the grass can be greener elsewhere. The lure of the Premier League remains grand, but it's not the be-all and end-all. In fact, some of the home nations' biggest stars have decided to take their talents abroad to the mainland continent and beyond.
German legend Sami Khedira has hailed Bayern Munich youngster Lennart Karl as the hottest talent in the country. Khedira believes Karl’s attitude sets him up for success and feels that Bayern’s thin squad will provide him with the opportunities needed to develop.
Serge Gnabry is building his case for a new contract at Bayern Munich. The winger scored as the Bundesliga champions ran out 5-0 winners against Hamburg at the weekend. Now with two goals and two assists to his name this season, he will hope to be offered a new deal before his current one runs out and he is forced to leave in a free transfer next summer.
Tributes have started to fly in after the tragic death of legendary English boxer Ricky Hatton on Sunday. The 46-year-old was known for his passion for Manchester City, and former club captain Vincent Kompany has paid tribute to Hatton by taking to social media. "We'll miss you," said the Bayern Munich head coach, as the world of sport mourns over the loss of a beloved and iconic figure.
Harry Kane has spoken out in defence of new Bayern Munich team-mate Nicolas Jackson, with the odd question being asked of why the Senegalese striker has been drafted in by the Bundesliga giants. Kane has pointed out that the lively frontman put in plenty of encouraging Premier League performances for Chelsea when leading the line for an often inconsistent outfit.
Harry Kane got top marks from German media after starring in Bayern Munich's demolition of Hamburg. The England captain contributed with a brace and an assist as the reigning German champions registered a 5-0 win and maintained their 100 percent win record to start the 2025-26 Bundesliga campaign. With the two strikes on Saturday, Kane has now taken his goals tally to eight this term.
Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz lit up with joy when handed a customised PlayStation 5 controller dedicated to his late friend and former Liverpool teammate, Diogo Jota. The Colombian, who shared a close relationship with the Portuguese attacker during their time together at Anfield, was visibly touched by the red controller, which carried the engraving “Diogo J” on the back.