Bayern Munich will aim to get their 2024/25 UEFA Champions League off to a winning start against Dinamo Zagreb.
Bayern Munich embark on their 17th consecutive season in the UEFA Champions League, welcoming Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. While Bayern have shown a promising start to their domestic campaign, Dinamo will be eager to prove themselves on the European stage after once again securing top spot in the Supersport HNL.
As regular participants in Europe’s top club competition, Bayern Munich have enjoyed an impressive 17-year streak in the Champions League, consistently reaching the knockout stages. Unbeaten in their last 40 group-stage matches, Die Roten have dominated this phase, securing 36 wins along the way. Prior to a draw against Copenhagen last season, Bayern had set a record with 17 consecutive group-stage victories.
Their journey in Europe last season saw them navigate through the group stage and surpass both Lazio and Arsenal in the knockout rounds, setting up a mouthwatering semi-final clash with Real Madrid. However, in dramatic fashion, Real Madrid overturned a late deficit in the second leg to knock Bayern out, ending Thomas Tuchel’s reign in Munich on a sour note.
Domestically, Bayern Munich faced further disappointment last season, finishing third behind new Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart. It was the first time in over a decade that the Bavarian giants were dethroned. To reinvigorate the squad, Bayern turned to Vincent Kompany, the former Manchester City legend, who has guided them to four straight wins in all competitions so far this season.
Their most recent victory, a commanding 6-1 thrashing of Holstein Kiel, saw Jamal Musiala net after just 14 seconds, while England captain Harry Kane bagged a hat-trick following his milestone 100th cap for his country.
On the other side, Dinamo Zagreb have a daunting task ahead of them as they face Bayern for the first time since 2015, when the German side triumphed in both meetings, with Robert Lewandowski scoring five goals across the two encounters. Despite their domestic dominance, Dinamo Zagreb have struggled to translate their success onto the European stage, finishing last in seven of their recent Champions League group stage campaigns.
Back in Europe’s elite competition after securing a record 25th HNL title and their 13th domestic double, Dinamo earned their place in the revamped Champions League format by defeating Qarabag comfortably in the playoffs. However, their journey to this point was overshadowed by a recent loss to fierce rivals Hajduk Split, which ended their 23-game unbeaten run in the Croatian league and saw them relinquish the top spot. The Hard Tackle explores the possible lineups and strategies for this much-awaited match.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
In Bayern Munich’s probable 4-2-3-1 formation, Manuel Neuer will return to his regular role as the goalkeeper. The defensive line is expected to feature Joshua Kimmich at right-back, with Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano forming the central defensive pairing. On the left, Raphaël Guerreiro should start, bringing both defensive solidity and attacking prowess from the flank.
The midfield pivot will likely see Alexander Pavlovic alongside recent signing Joao Palhinha, controlling the central areas and linking up with the attacking players. Ahead of them, Kingsley Coman is set to operate on the right wing, Jamal Musiala in the attacking midfield role, and Serge Gnabry on the left wing, offering creativity and pace in the final third.
Leading the attack will be Harry Kane, who remains Bayern’s key striker after netting his fifth hat-trick in the Bundesliga last weekend. Vincent Kompany will be pleased to have Leroy Sane back in the squad after his return from injury, adding further depth to the attacking options. However, the team will be without Josip Stanisic (knee), Tarek Buchmann (thigh), and summer signing Hiroki Ito (foot), who are all set to miss this Champions League opener due to injuries.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Kim, Upamecano, Guerreiro; Pavlovic, Palhinha; Coman, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
Dinamo Zagreb
In Dinamo Zagreb’s probable 4-2-3-1 formation, Ivan Nevistić will start in goal, protected by a back four featuring Stefan Ristovski at right-back, with Kevin Théophile-Catherine and Samy Mmaee as the centre-backs. On the left side of defence, Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel should complete the back line.
As for the midfield unit, captain Arijan Ademi will anchor the defensive midfield alongside Petar Sučić, providing both stability and ball distribution to help Dinamo transition from defence to attack. Ahead of them, Roberto Cordoba is expected to play on the right wing, while Martin Baturina will operate in a more advanced central role, and Marko Pjaca will likely slot in on the left wing, adding creativity and attacking thrust.
Leading the line for Dinamo Zagreb will be Croatia international striker Bruno Petković, who will be supported by his teammates as the main goal-scoring threat for the visitors. Coach Sergej Jakirović could make tactical adjustments after the loss to Hajduk Split, potentially bringing in forward Sandro Kulenović, who has been in great form with five goals in six league games, to offer additional attacking options off the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nevistic; Ristovski, Theophile-Catherine, Mmaee, Pierre-Gabriel; Ademi, Sucic; Cordoba, Baturina, Pjaca; Petkovic
Key Stats
- This will be the fifth meeting between Bayern Munich and Dinamo Zagreb in European competition. Their most recent encounters were in the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League group stage, where Bayern won both home and away.
- Dinamo Zagreb won 4-1 in their first away game against Bayern Munich, which took place in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1963. However, in their last trip to Munich in September 2015, Dinamo were beaten 5-0 by Bayern.
- In their previous UEFA Champions League home game against Dinamo Zagreb in 2015, Bayern Munich enjoyed 77% possession, took 27 shots, and made 51 touches in Dinamo’s penalty area. They limited the Croatian side to just six shots and only five touches in their penalty box.
- Among teams with 50+ games played in the UEFA Champions League, Bayern Munich has the second-highest win percentage (59.5%) behind only Real Madrid (60%).
- Among teams with 50+ games played in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, Dinamo Zagreb has the lowest win percentage, at just 13% (7 wins out of 52 games).
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
Harry Kane has quickly established himself as a key player for Bayern Munich since his summer move from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023. Known for his lethal finishing, intelligent positioning, and excellent link-up play, Kane already has a strong start in the Bundesliga, including scoring a hat-trick in Bayern’s recent 6-1 win over Holstein Kiel.
Kane’s ability to score goals and create opportunities for his teammates makes him the focal point of Bayern’s attack. With five goals in just three games so far this season, his impact has been immediate.
As Bayern begin their UEFA Champions League campaign, all eyes will be on Kane to deliver in Europe, adding to his impressive goal tally and helping the Bavarian giants get off to a winning start. Given Dinamo Zagreb’s vulnerability in defence, Kane will be expected to lead the line with authority, and his form will likely be decisive in this fixture.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb
With Bayern Munich’s history of dominance in the group stage, coupled with Dinamo’s struggle to find success in Europe, it’s difficult to envision anything other than a comfortable win for the home side. Bayern’s attack, led by the likes of Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala, should have too much firepower for the Croatian outfit, despite their domestic strength.
