Chelsea travel to Bavaria for Wednesday’s meeting with Bayern Munich, as Enzo Maresca aims to follow up last season’s Conference League success with a positive start in the Champions League.
The Blues enjoyed one of the greatest nights in their history at the Allianz Arena, overcoming Bayern on penalties in their own backyard during a nerve-shredding 2012 Champions League final. Can they secure all three points on their second visit to Munich since that iconic night just over 13 years ago?
TNT Sports 2 will provide live coverage of this clash between two European giants, while discovery+ customers can catch the action on the network’s dedicated app service.
Chelsea Predicted XI vs Bayern Munich
Chelsea Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Robert Sánchez;, Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella; Enzo Fernandez, Felipe Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Estêvão; Alejandro Garnacho.
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Chelsea team news vs Bayern Munich
Despite playing 70 minutes of Chelsea’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Brentford on Saturday evening, there remains a question mark over João Pedro’s fitness. It’s believed the former Brighton star is harbouring a niggling injury, which could undermine his chances of featuring in Maresca’s starting XI.
Fellow attacker Liam Delap will be out until at least November after sustaining a hamstring strain in the West London derby.
There are also two defensive absentees, with Levi Colwill and Benoît Badiashile both unavailable. Although Badiashile will shortly return to action, English international Colwill is set to be out for several months despite undergoing successful surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament at the start of August.
Portuguese Under-21 midfielder Dário Essugo – who is yet to make an appearance since securing a summer switch to Stamford Bridge from Sporting Lisbon – is sidelined after picking up a thigh issue while on international duty. Romeo Lavia is also carrying a knock, although the powerful Belgian wouldn’t feature anyway as he’s not part of Chelsea’s initial Champions League squad.
Maresca rested several of his prized assets over the weekend, including an illness-stricken Estêvão following his exertions with the Brazil national side. Expect Chelsea to be at full strength on Wednesday night.
Potential Pedro injury major blow for Blues
So, just how big a loss would João Pedro be?
The dynamic Brazilian forward has hit the ground running in a Chelsea shirt, netting three times in three Club World Cup appearances before making a scintillating start to the new Premier League campaign.
He’s been involved in over half of Chelsea’s nine league goals this term, a statistic aided by a goal and two assists during the 5-1 thrashing of West Ham.
Arguably the Blues’ most potent attacking threat, João Pedro has fired more attempts on goal than any of his teammates, while only Portuguese winger Pedro Neto has had more touches in opposition penalty boxes. It’s also important to note his defensive contribution; the 23-year-old has already won a staggering 20 duels during the opening exchanges of the domestic season.
Although he could still feature as a potential impact substitute on Wednesday night, his omission from the starting line-up is undoubtedly a major blow. Maresca will hope the likes of Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer can step up in his absence.