Expert’s blunt verdict: Bayern give Chelsea a reality check | OneFootball

FC Bayern got off to a perfect start in the new Champions League season with a 3-1 win over Chelsea. While Munich celebrated Harry Kane’s brace and a composed team performance, the reaction in England was more mixed. TV analyst Dougie Critchley saw the match primarily as a sobering return to the big stage for the Club World Cup winners.

The Munich side had to cope with several defensive changes. Coach Vincent Kompany initially refrained from making any changes compared to the Bundesliga win against HSV, but as the match progressed, he was forced to react. Jonathan Tah, already on a yellow card, was replaced at halftime by Minjae Kim. Josip Stanisic had to come off due to injury, with Sacha Boey coming on for him. In addition, Konrad Laimer moved to the left-back position—a role the natural midfielder rarely plays.

Despite this improvised formation, the defense appeared stable. This is exactly what Critchley highlighted in his analysis on X: “Bayern finished the game with their fourth-best right-back (Boey) on the right… their second-best right-back (Laimer), who is actually a midfielder, on the left… and they took their new center-back (Tah) off at halftime.”

Chelsea lacking attacking power

Photo: Getty Images

From the English perspective, the second half was particularly disappointing. “Apart from a nice offside goal… Chelsea barely created a chance in the second half,” Critchley remarked. He did highlight the performances of individual players such as Cole Palmer, goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, and midfielder Enzo Fernández, but ultimately the sobering conclusion remained: “It wasn’t a disaster tonight, and there were some positives… but it was a reality check on their return to the big stage!”

Nevertheless, Bayern demonstrated their composure. After an own goal by Trevoh Chalobah and a confidently converted penalty by Harry Kane, Munich took an early lead. Palmer briefly gave Chelsea hope, but in the second half Bayern allowed nothing more. Kane sealed the match with his second goal in the 63rd minute.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.