The German champion Bayern Munich is not desperate to hit a favorites or Underdog tag on his Champions League titlic chances this season, but will go to the English Chelsea with confidence on Wednesday in his competition phase opener, said striker Harry Kane Tuesday.
Former long-term Bayern President and board member Uli Hoonenheid did not judge their chances in Europe too high for this season, and said they entered the Champions League «such as (mid-table German club) Hoffenheim».
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The six-time European champion enjoyed a successful rehearsal on Saturday with Kane, which scored twice when the promoted Hamburg SV dismantled 5-0 in the competition, to make it three wins of three league games this season.
But a reduced team and not signing different transfer goals have wondered Bayern fans whether their team is competitive enough for the European Elite Club competition. «A club like Bayern always expects to win every competition. I would not say that we are underdogs, even though we play against the best teams in Europe,» Kane told a press conference when he was asked about the comment of Hoetheid.
«Now a long journey starts, hopefully until May. I don’t want to look too far ahead about winning. We want to be as high as possible in the competition table. It all starts tomorrow,» he said. «We support ourselves to beat every team in the Allianz Arena. We feel very good now. If we want to beat Chelsea, we have to perform on our peak. It will be a difficult and great game. Chelsea did very well with the Club World Cup and now in the Premier League.»
Bayern has not had much success in Europe since the last time, winning the title in 2020, and only passed the quarterfinals once in the past five seasons.
Coach Vincent Kompany said it made little sense to talk about title opportunities at this stage.
«Let’s see what happens. From our side everyone is looking forward to this 100%. We want to win the Champions League. That must always be the goal. I don’t think a Bayern player has a lower goal,» Kompany said.
«Tomorrow is the first game and that is the only task. The dream remains but the task tomorrow is the most important one. We want to be in the top eight. Win six games and then you will continue. Tomorrow we have to try to win that first game.»
Published on September 16, 2025
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