Chelsea have a mammoth task on their hands if they are to start their new Champions League campaign with a win, with them needing to break a record which has lasted since 2013.
Enzo Maresca takes his side to Germany to take on Bayern Munich, and tried to take as many precautions as possible in their last Premier League game against Brentford to give them the best chance possible.
Cole Palmer, Reece James and Marc Cucurella were among those who started that game on the bench, however they were required in the second half to try and turn the game around. They drew 2-2 after conceding a controversial late goal.
It can be expected that all three will start against the Bundesliga champions, as the Blues look to get their quest for a top eight finish underway with what may look like an unlikely victory.
Chelsea must break 12-year record to beat Bayern Munich in Champions League
Bayern have got off to a perfect start to the season in Germany, and will be looking to keep up their fine record in the Champions League when playing at home.
They are unbeaten in 34 consecutive home games in the group stages of the competition, drawing only two of them. This record goes all the way back to 2013.
The last side to beat Bayern at the Allianz Arena at this stage of the competition was Manchester City, who came from 2-0 down to complete a brilliant turnaround victory.
This will be the first time Chelsea have faced this opposition in the group stage phase, however have faced them in high-profile meetings in the past.
Chelsea’s previous Champions League meetings with Bayern Munich
Bayern were the victims of Chelsea’s most iconic moment in European history when they won their first Champions League trophy in 2012.
The Blues also met them in the quarter-finals of the 2004/05 season. They won the first leg 4-2 at home, and advanced to the semi-finals despite a 3-2 defeat in the return fixture.
Chelsea last faced the Bundesliga side in 2020, where they were heavily defeated across both legs which took place six months apart due to the pandemic.
Despite very little to shout about from Chelsea’s side, Frank Lampard praised James for his performance in the heavy defeat.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
