Bayern sink Chelsea

FE Team | Published: September 19, 2025 00:00:01

Bayern sink Chelsea

MUNICH, Germany, Sept 18 (AFP): Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich beat Chelsea 3-1 at home in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.
Michael Olise pressured Trevoh Chalobah into an own goal with 20 minutes gone, before Kane won and converted a penalty seven minutes later.
Cole Palmer finished off a superb team counter-attack just two minutes later to bring Chelsea back into the game. But Kane stepped up again midway through the second half to wrestle control back Bayern's way.
"It was a top performance against a really good side," Kane told DAZN.
"We spoke before the game that we're playing the club world champions and we had to be on it from the start and we were."
England captain Kane says facing Premier League sides gives him extra motivation to "play better", and Chelsea were on the receiving end as he climbed up to 10 goals in just six games this season.
Asked if Kane's goalscoring exploits made him the best in the world, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said: "We can talk about talent and quality, but it's the hard work which gets him to where he is.
"Based on what I experienced in the best years of my career, that's a non-negotiable."
Kompany was however eager to pump the brakes on suggestions six-time champions Bayern were favourites for the competition.
"It's one game. Steady on now. It's just the beginning."
Bayern captain Manuel Neuer, the last survivor from the 2012 Champions League final between the sides, won by Chelsea at the same venue, brought up his 100th win in the competition. He now trails just Cristiano Ronaldo, Thomas Mueller and Iker Casillas.
Bayern have now won their past 22 Champions League openers dating back to a 2002 loss to Spain's Deportivo La Coruna.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said his side "cannot commit mistakes the way we did," but added "we can build something special from this defeat.