Bayern Munich vs Chelsea live: Cole Palmer starts in blockbuster Champions League clash – UK Times

On a dramatic opening night of the league phase, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a thrilling 4-4 draw and Benfica surrendered a two-goal lead to lose.

Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham both made winning starts against Spanish opposition in Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal respectively.

Here’s a round-up of what happened on Tuesday night:

After an influential cameo off the bench against Brentford, Cole Palmer is back in Chelsea’s starting XI to face Bayern Munich.

Nicolas Jackson, meanwhile, starts on the bench against his parent club.

Bayern Munich XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovich; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Palmer, Enzo, Neto; Joao Pedro.

In the days before this Champions League season began, there was considerable agitation about one big topic that may yet change its future.

LaLiga’s fiery president, Javier Tebas, would instead argue it’s all very simple, and point to this Champions League week. An unprecedented six Premier League clubs are involved, showcasing the competition’s uncatchable power.

Rivals like LaLiga have to try something.

“I don’t have any kind of problem with Nico,” said Maresca. “He’s a good guy, a good professional who worked well with us. That’s it.

“It’s a small advantage because (Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany) can ask Nico the way we work and the way we try to prepare games. He knows exactly the way we approach games.”

Bayern Munich XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovich; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro.

Chelsea will once again have the option to start Cole Palmer after coming off the bench to score on his return at Brentford.

This acts as a much-needed injury reprieve, with Liam Delap among a list of absentees that also includes Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile and Dario Essugo.

Estevao could also feature, assuming he has overcome the illness that left him out of the weekend’s squad.

Bayern Munich are plagued with a handful of defensive injuries, with Raphael Guerreiro joining Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies on the treatment table.

Jamal Musiala, once a Chelsea academy prodigy, is also unavailable as he continues his long road to recovery from a horrific leg and ankle break at the Club World Cup.

Blues loanee Nicolas Jackson is eligible to play but likely won’t get the nod ahead of Harry Kane.

Chelsea’s league phase visit to Bayern Munich in the Champions League kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday 17 September at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.

Viewers in the UK can watch the game on TNT Sports 2, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the game on discovery+.