Chelsea’s return to Champions League football didn’t go the way they hoped, as Bayern Munich handed them a 3-1 defeat at the Allianz Arena.
Despite showing flashes of promise, Enzo Maresca’s men struggled with costly mistakes and the clinical finishing of Harry Kane.
Costly Errors at Crucial Moments
The night was defined by mistakes from Chelsea’s back line.
Trevoh Chalobah scored an unfortunate own goal, Moises Caicedo gave away a penalty with a clumsy challenge, and Malo Gusto made an error that led to another Bayern strike.
These were all goals that could have been avoided, and Maresca will know his side gave their opponents too many easy chances.
The Italian coach had tried to replicate the game plan that worked so well when Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final.
But unlike in the U.S., the approach didn’t deliver here in Munich.
Michael Olise Shines Against Former Admirers
One player who really caught the eye was Michael Olise.
Twice in the past, Chelsea tried to sign him from Crystal Palace, and judging by his performance, they must regret missing out.
Olise caused constant problems on the wing and played a huge role in Bayern’s opener.
His dangerous ball into the box had defenders backing away, and Chalobah’s unlucky touch turned it into his own net.
As Harry Kane admitted before the match, Bayern are glad to have Olise in their side rather than seeing him lining up in Chelsea blue.
Maresca Shows His Frustration
It was a heated night on the touchline too. Maresca, usually a calm figure, let his emotions spill over and was booked by referee Jose Maria Sanchez.
The Chelsea boss was furious with several decisions, especially when Bayern defender Jonathan Tah escaped with just a yellow card for a foul on Joao Pedro.
The Champions League spotlight clearly brought extra pressure, and Maresca didn’t hide how much the game meant to him.
A Valuable Lesson for Debutants
For many Chelsea players, this was their first taste of the Champions League stage.
Robert Sanchez, Gusto, Caicedo, Pedro Neto, and Joao Pedro all made their debuts in Europe’s biggest competition.
Before kick-off, several were even spotted taking photos of the Allianz Arena — a sign of what a special occasion it was.
Though the result stings, the experience will serve them well.
They played some attractive football in spells, but ultimately, Bayern’s quality and Chelsea’s mistakes proved decisive.
Sanchez Wins Some Respect
One bright spot for Chelsea came from their goalkeeper.
Robert Sanchez, who some fans doubted over the summer when no new keeper was signed, delivered an impressive performance.
He pulled off a series of good saves, including one standout stop to deny Olise.
Beyond his shot-stopping, Sanchez also looked composed with the ball at his feet, finding teammates with accurate long passes.
While errors are inevitable for any goalkeeper, he is starting to win over supporters who once questioned if he was the right man for the job.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Chelsea leave Munich empty-handed, but they take away lessons and glimpses of promise.
Maresca now faces the task of cutting out the self-inflicted mistakes while helping his young squad grow into the Champions League stage.
The campaign is just beginning, and the Blues will hope this defeat proves to be more of a wake-up call than a warning sign.