Bayern Munich vs Bodo/Glimt – News and Probable Lineups

German giants Bayern Munich will commence their Champions League journey on Thursday by facing Bodo/Glimt at the Allianz Arena for their league-phase opener.

The Bavarians aim to maintain their unbeaten record, while Superlaget are seeking their eighth straight win.

Match overview

Under the guidance of Vincent Kompany, Bayern reached the semi-finals in the previous season of the Champions League, and they will aim for a strong start on their quest for this season’s final in Madrid.

The Bavarians kicked off the 2026-27 season with three consecutive domestic victories, including a 2-1 win over their classic rivals Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup on August 22.

However, that winning streak ended on Saturday when promoted side Schalke 04 held Kompany’s men to a 0-0 draw.

Bayern will be eager to return to winning form on Thursday, which is reinforced by their impressive record of winning their opening match in each of their last 22 Champions League campaigns.

Moreover, the hosts have lost only once at home in 2026, achieving 15 wins and just two draws, so anything less than securing all three points would be considered a setback for the Bavarians.

On the other hand, Kjetil Knutsen’s Bodo/Glimt navigated through two qualifying rounds to make it to the league phase, and they will be determined to validate their efforts.

Superlaget triumphed over Union Saint-Gilloise 6-5 on aggregate in the third qualifying round, followed by a commanding 6-1 victory against NEC Nijmegen over two legs in the playoff last month to advance to this round.

This performance means Knutsen’s men are back in the real Champions League after their debut in the 2025-26 season, where they remarkably reached the round of 16 and knocked out Inter de Milão in the knockout-phase playoffs.

As such, even though Bodo/Glimt might enter Thursday’s match as underdogs, it would be unwise to underestimate them, especially given their impressive form.

Superlaget secured a 2-1 victory against Norwegian Eliteserien opponents Fredrikstad last Friday, extending their winning streak to six matches and stretching their unbeaten run to 20 games overall.

Team News

Bayern will be without the services of versatile forward Serge Gnabry again, although head coach Kompany is hopeful for his return to availability next week.

Meanwhile, Jamal Musiala is expected to take up the number 10 position, supported by Michael Olise and Luis Diaz behind striker Harry Kane.

Additionally, centre-back Tarek Buchmann is still recovering from an ankle injury following surgery in the summer, while Kim Min-jae will partner Dayot Upamecano in the heart of the hosts’ defence.

For Bodo/Glimt, they will be without Jostein Gundersen due to a hamstring injury, and fellow centre-back Haitam Aleesami is doubtful with a leg injury, leading to Villads Nielsen and Odin Bjortuft likely featuring in the starting lineup.

The visitors are also short in midfield as both Magnus Bech Riisnaes and Hakon Evjen are sidelined with knee injuries; however, Sondre Auklend, Patrick Berg, and Sondre Brunstad Fet are ready to establish the midfield trio.

Moreover, the adaptable August Mikkelsen is recuperating from a groin injury, but left winger Jens Petter Hauge is expected to be available after returning to training this week, even though he left the match against Fredrikstad due to injury.

Bayern Munich probable starting XI:

Neuer; Laimer, Kim, Upamecano, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Diaz; Kane

Bodo/Glimt probable starting XI:

Haikin; Sjovold, Nielsen, Bjortuft, Bjorkan; Auklend, Berg, Fet; Blomberg, Helmersen, Hauge

Despite being held to a goalless draw by Schalke at the weekend, Bayern should have more than enough quality to prevail on Thursday.

That said, it would not be surprising to witness Bodo/Glimt deliver a competitive performance and potentially find the back of the net in the process.