Bayern Munich’s reshaped squad will get an early test when they host Club World Cup holders Chelsea in their Champions League opener on Wednesday—a repeat of the 2012 final that the English side famously won on penalties in Munich.

The German champions enter the new campaign after a turbulent summer that saw key attackers Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller, and Mathys Tel depart. In response, Bayern signed Luis Díaz from Liverpool and brought in Nicolas Jackson on loan from Chelsea. Injuries to Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies have further stretched the squad, prompting rare public criticism from striker Harry Kane, who described it as “maybe one of the smallest I’ve had in my career.”

Díaz has made an immediate impact, scoring four goals and providing two assists in his first five matches, but Bayern face a formidable challenge against Chelsea, who lifted the Club World Cup after defeating Paris Saint-Germain just two months ago. Both clubs are expected to progress beyond the group stage, though Bayern are keen to secure direct qualification to avoid another knockout play-off, having struggled last season when extra fixtures disrupted their rhythm.

Kane stressed the importance of a strong start, recalling how a two-legged tie against Celtic last year drained the squad. “That extra game can make a big difference,” he said, noting it contributed to injuries and a dip in form later in the campaign.

Meanwhile, Jackson—unlikely to start against his parent club—made his Bayern debut off the bench on Saturday. Kane dismissed suggestions the Senegalese striker is merely a back-up, insisting he can contribute across the front line. Former Bayern forward Claudio Pizarro, who thrived as a super-sub during his time at the club, said Jackson will need to adapt to the demanding role.

Pizarro added that Jackson’s presence could spark healthy competition within the squad, similar to the rivalry between Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry that pushed Bayern to their 2013 treble triumph. “They always wanted to be better than each other,” Pizarro recalled. “It was a good fight.”