Bayern Munich face Bodø/Glimt with home record and European experience in focus

Bayern Munich begin their UEFA Champions League campaign on Thursday against Bodø/Glimt, with the German side clear favourites but their Norwegian opponents arriving with the benefit of a successful first campaign in the competition last season.

Bayern’s record at home provides the clearest indication of the challenge facing Bodø/Glimt. The Bavarians are unbeaten in their past 38 home matches in the group or league phase of the UEFA Champions League, winning 36 and drawing two.

They have also won all four of their home meetings with Norwegian clubs. Across those matches, Bayern Munich have scored 17 goals and conceded only three.

Bodø/Glimt’s task

Bodø/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen knows his side are likely to spend long periods under pressure. He regards Bayern as one of the best teams in the world at present, and believes his players will need to keep possession and make the most of the limited space left by Vincent Kompany’s team.

The Norwegian club can nevertheless point to its own European pedigree. Bodø/Glimt reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League last season and secured a notable 2-2 draw away to Dortmund.

That experience means this will not simply be a meeting between an established European power and an inexperienced challenger. Bodø/Glimt have already shown they can compete on the continental stage and will look to use that confidence in Munich.

Bayern seek a response

Bayern Munich must also rediscover their attacking sharpness after being held to a 0-0 draw by Schalke in the Bundesliga. The result ended with the Bavarians unable to find a breakthrough, although they have considerable attacking options available.

Harry Kane is among the players capable of making the difference, with Bayern possessing enough quality in the final third to test Bodø/Glimt’s defence repeatedly. Knutsen’s side will aim to keep the match uncertain for as long as possible and prevent the hosts from settling into their usual rhythm.

Bodø/Glimt arrive after a 2-1 league victory at Fredrikstad, giving them a positive result before one of the most demanding fixtures of their European campaign.

The match will be the first meeting between the two clubs. It brings together Bayern Munich’s extensive experience in the UEFA Champions League and the ambition of a Norwegian side that can no longer be regarded as a newcomer to the competition.