Duel for the first leg of the Champions League phase, the Bavarians, at home, are the favourites, while the Croatians try to surprise
Bayern and Dinamo Zagreb will face each other this Tuesday (17/9), at 16:00 (Brasilia time), at the Allianz Arena, in Munich. This is the teams’ debut in the 2024/25 Champions League phase. Bayern is not only the favorite in this match. But also for the title, which will be played on May 31, 2025 exactly at the Allianz Parque. Dinamo hopes to do well and fight for at least a place in the play-offs at the end of this phase. However, your work this Tuesday will be a quarry. In history, they have faced Bayern twice in this competition: they lost both 2-0 and 5-0.
Understanding the Champions League formula in the ‘championship phase’
This edition of the Champions League has a new format. After all, the group stage ends and the championship stage begins. Therefore, the 36 teams are in a single group. But they will play only eight matches. At the end of the eight rounds, the top eight advance to the round of 16 and the teams from 9th to 24th play eight knockout matches in a repechage. In the end, those who advance will also enter the round of 16. Watch the matches of Bayern and Dinamo Zagreb below.
Where to watch
The Space (closed) and Max (streaming) channels broadcast from 16:00 (Brasilia time).
How Bayern arrives
Coach Vincent Kompany is out of strength due to Josip Stanisic’s right knee injury. They will therefore be able to make various offensive choices ahead of Tuesday’s duel. Veteran Thomas Müller, who recently became the player who has played the most games for Bayern, will remain on the bench. Coman, Musiala, Gnabry and Kane will therefore form the attacking quartet.
Kompany said he sees the fans very excited about Bayern’s chances of winning the title. After all, the team is very strong and really wants to become champion in a home final. But the competition hasn’t even started yet. So there’s a long way to go. What’s more: there’s a new form to the controversy.
“It’s difficult to say how we will perform in the Champions League with this new format. But we are strong and our fans can dream big and believe that we can reach the final, which will be at home,” he said.
Bayern’s matches in the Champions League phase
17/9 – Dinamo Zagreb (home)
2/10 – Aston Villa (away)
23/10 – Barcelona (away)
11/6 – Benfica (home)
26/11 – PSG (home)
12/10 – Shakthar (out)
22/1/2025 – Feyenoord (away)
01/29/2025 – Slovan Bratislava (home)
How Dinamo Zagreb is coming
Coach Sergej Jakirović’s formation will be 4-2-3-1, with Cordoba, Baturina and Pjaca as the only striker. And the striker is the only doubt he has in front of Bayern. Kulenovic has trained well and could start. If that happens, Petkovic will start on the bench.
Dinamo advanced to the championship stage after coming through the play-offs, knocking out Qarabag from Azerbaijan. But the coach said that just because the team is in the playoffs doesn’t mean it’s simply “advancing” to the main stage of the competition.
“We have already made our mark in Europe, but we cannot enter this phase of the Champions League with great satisfaction. We want more,” he said.
Dinamo Zagreb’s matches in the Champions League stage
17/9 – Bayern (away)
2/10 – Monaco (home)
23/10 – RB Salzburg (out)
11/5 – Slovan Bratyislava (exits)
27/11 – Borussia (home)
10/12 – Celtic (home)
22/1/2025 – Arsenal (away)
29/1/2025 – Milan (home)
Bayern – Dinamo Zagreb
1st round of the Champions League phase
Date and time: 09/17/2024, at 16:00 (Brasilia time)
Position: Allianz Arena, Munich (ALE)
Bayern: Neuer; Kimmich, Kim, Upamecano and Guerreiro; Pavlovic and Palhinha; Coman, Musiala and Gnabry; Kane. Technician: Company
DYNAMO ZAGREB: Nevisitico; Ristovski, Theophile-Catherine, Mmaee and Pierre-Gabriel; Ademi and Sucic; Cordoba, Baturina and Pjaca; Petkovic (Kulenovic). Technician: Sergey Jakirović
Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP)
Assistants: Diego Barbero Sevilla and Miguel Martínez Munuera (ESP)
VAR: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (ESP)
Follow our content on social media: Bluesky, Threads, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
