Bayern Munich vs Dinamo Zagreb

Allianz Arena forms the backdrop for a ‘David vs Goliath’ UEFA Champions League showdown between Bayern Munich and Dinamo Zagreb.

Bayern Munich’s 17th consecutive appearance in the Champions League proper begins with a must-win clash against a lesser team, with high-profile fixtures against Barcelona and PSG waiting in the wings. The record-time Bundesliga champions head into proceedings in a buoyant mood after winning their opening three league games under new manager Vincent Kompany by a combined score of 11-3. Though this is a new format, it’s worth noting that the Bavarians have progressed into the knockout stages in their last 16 campaigns, including the 2015/16 season when they scored seven unanswered goals against Dinamo Zagreb under Pep Guardiola. Another routine win looks well on the cards, especially considering PSG remain the only team to beat Bayern across their last 25 Champions League outings at the Allianz Arena (W20, D4).

The German giants’ formidable home record could make Dinamo Zagreb freeze in Bavaria on their Champions League return. The perennial Croatian champions last featured in Europe’s elite club competition in 2022/23, only to crash out of the group stages with four defeats from six matches (W1, D1). A 1-0 home win against Chelsea in the opening round that time forms part of their disappointing return of just seven Champions League victories, making up for a dismal 13% win ratio at Europe’s top table. None of those seven triumphs came against German opponents, with Dinamo Zagreb suffering ten defeats across their 12 previous encounters against Bundesliga clubs in Europe’s top club competitions (D2). Moreover, they’ve lost their last three games against German teams without scoring.