Chelsea’s Champions League campaign couldn’t have started on a tougher note. Facing Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, the Blues were outclassed in a 3–1 defeat — and Bayern captain Manuel Neuer didn’t hide his pride in the performance.

The veteran goalkeeper made it clear just how much the victory meant to him and his team.

He said: “We moved the ball well and were simply the better team. We can be proud of this performance.”

Neuer highlighted Bayern’s dominance in possession and control, crediting their ability to dictate the tempo against a Chelsea side still searching for consistency.

The Bayern captain went further, pointing out the significance of beating a team that recently claimed global honours.

“I really liked the performance. Today we won against the Club World Cup winners, a real tough opponent.”

Chelsea may not have matched Bayern’s intensity on the night, but Neuer’s comments underline the respect his side had for the Blues heading into the clash. He knows that facing the world champions is never a walk in the park.

Finally, the goalkeeper praised his team for making a statement at the start of their European journey.

He concluded: “This was no small task today, but also a nice crowning of the season’s start. We’re very happy that we could shape the game this way.”

For Chelsea, the loss serves as an early reminder of the high standards required at this level.