LONDON (AP) — Six-time winner Bayern Munich hosts last season’s surprise package Bodø/Glimt and upstart Como makes its debut against Leipzig in the Champions League on Thursday.
Bodø/Glimt is coming off a run to the last 16 that included victories over Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan. The tiny Norwegian club has already come through two rounds of qualifying to reach the league phase again.
With 14 goals in 13 matches last season, Bayern
striker Harry Kane finished second only to Kylian Mbappé (15) in last season's scoring chart. Bayern was eliminated by eventual champion Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals.
Cesc Fabregas' Como finished fourth ahead of Juventus and AC Milan last season to claim Serie A’s final Champions League spot with a high-pressing brand of soccer that is uncommon in Italy.
Having played in the fourth division of Italian soccer just seven years ago, it’s the first time in Como’s 119-year history that it has qualified for a continental competition.
Also, three-time winner Manchester United marks its Champions League return after two years out by hosting Azerbaijani debutant Sabah, which came through three rounds of qualifying and a playoff to make it this far.
In the early kickoffs at 6:45 p.m. (1645 GMT) in Central Europe, Serie A leader Roma visits Fenerbahce and PSV Eindhoven hosts Shakhtar Donetsk.
Slavia Prague plays Lens in the other late match at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT).
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