Bayern Munich vs Chelsea LIVE: Team news and line ups confirmed, Champions League latest

BAYERN MUNICH vs CHELSEA | LIVE!

• Bayern Munich won the first leg 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in February

• Chelsea are without Cesar Azpilicueta, Christian Pulisic and Pedro

• The Blues have scored three goals in an away Champions League knockout match once previously, winning 3-1 at Liverpool in April 2009

• Striker Robert Lewandowski is the top scorer in this season’s Champions League with 11 goals

• Bayern have won their first seven Champions League games this season, scoring 27 goals and conceding five

Bayern XI: Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Davies, Thiago, Goretzka, Gnabry, Müller, Perisic, Lewandowski

Chelsea XI: Caballero, James, Christensen, Zouma, Emerson, Kante, Barkley, Kovacic, Mount, Abraham, Hudson-Odoi

Like a fine wine

All going on in Italy. I just about recovered from hearing that Manchester City legend David Silva was joining Lazio… and then more news dropped.

Juventus sacked Maurizio Sarri after just one season.

Sarri guided Juventus to a ninth straight Serie A title but they were knocked out of the Champions League by Lyon at the last-16 stage.

And his replacement? All the chatter was that Mauricio Pochettino was in the frame – but the glorious Andrea Pirlo has been appointed.

“Today’s choice is based on the belief that Pirlo has what it takes to lead, from his debut on the bench, an expert and talented squad to pursue new successes,” Juventus wrote on their website.

Elsewhere…

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea isn’t the only ticket in town, folks. Not by a long shot.

Barcelona are also in action against Napoli having rescued a 1-1 draw at Napoli in the first leg back in February. Could it be Barcelona manager Quique Setien’s last match in charge?

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Roberto, Rakitic, De Jong, Messi Suarez, Griezmann.

Napoli XI: Ospina, Di Lorenzo, Koulibaly, Manolas, Rui, Demme, Callejon, Ruiz, Zielinski, Insigne, Mertens.

Team news

Frank Lampard has made SIX (6!) changes from their FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal at Wembley.

Jorginho, Christian Pulisic, Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are out of the squad completely, while Antonio Rudiger and Olivier Giroud drop to the bench.

Coming in are Andreas Christensen, N’Golo Kante, Ross Barkley, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Emerson Palmieri.

Serge Gnabry, who scored twice when these two sides met in the first leg, starts for Bayern Munich.

All the big boys are starting for the Bundesliga champions and the bench doesn’t look too bad either. Javi Martinez, Philippe Coutinho and Corentin Tolisso are among the substitutes.

Zero…

In the entire history of the European Cup and Champions League, no team has ever won by three or more goals in the first leg of a knockout match away from home and failed to progress, going through on all 92 previous occasions.

Wait… how did that slip through the net?! Blind optimism only please, Opta!

Starting XI

The sides have arrived and there’s a very youthful feel about Chelsea’s starting XI. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount spearhead the attack. Oh and Kepa Arrizabalaga is benched again…

Chelsea XI: Caballero, James, Zouma, Christensen, Emerson, Kante, Kovacic, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Mount.

Subs: Kepa, Cumming, Rudiger, Tomori, Simeu, Maatsen, Bate, Lawrence, Giroud, Batshuayi, Broja.

Bayern Munich XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Goretzka, Thiago Alcantara; Gnabry, Muller, Perisic; Lewandowski.

Subs: Ulreich, Hoffmann, Odriozola, Sule, Javi Martinez, Coutinho, Cuisance, Hernandez, Tolisso, Tillman, Musiala, Arrey-Mbi.

Twitter round-up

Kristian: If you want proof I’m the most positive Chelsea fan on Twitter I’m somewhat optimistic we could win (on the night) tonight. That’s the most optimistic take you’ll see.

Leachy: Hate being pessimistic, just trying to be realistic. Bayern Munich have played two games since American Independence Day (July 4th). Chelsea have played EIGHT games since then. Will the fitness levels prevail?

Omeke: The fact that Chelsea will be playing in the Champions League with Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and possibly Kai Havertz next season is enough consolation for me. Bayern can do whatever they like to night. I’m sure we’ll come back stronger!

That’s the attitude lads! Not you though Leachy – those are negative vibes!

Inspiration…

There are plenty of examples of outrageous comebacks in Champions League football. I think we all remember (because we’re reminded every single day) that Liverpool reversed a three-goal deficit against Barcelona.

Manchester United winning on away goals against PSG in Paris. Barcelona stunning Roma in a thrilling fightback. Tottenham were 3-0 down on aggregate after 35 minutes against Ajax before Lucas Moura banged in a hat-tick.

Oh dear… did I forget to mention THAT night in Istanbul…

So there’s hope Chelsea fans. There is hope and it’s been done before.

Evening…

Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Bayern Munich vs Chelsea from the Allianz Arena.

Well… one stunning comeback has just been completed by England’s Chris Woakes and co. against Pakistan in the cricket.

Could Chelsea continue the trend? OK, bit of a tenuous link but it’s four thousand degrees outside and that’s the best I’ve got.

It’s an uphill task for Frank Lampard’s side to say the least. They trail the Bundesliga champions 3-0 after being dismantled at Stamford Bridge.

But stranger things have happened. Not often. Almost never. But they HAVE happened and that’s the important thing.

Team news and line ups coming shortly. Standby…