Bayern Munich vs. CSKA Moscow: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

As far as opening games go, there are few tougher European ties than away to Bayern Munich.

The German side are the current holders and will be attempting to become the first club to successfully defend their Champions League title when CSKA Moscow travel to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.

The visitors are returning to the group stage of the competition after a one-year absence and they come into the game in fine form.

Date: Tuesday, September 17

Time: 20:45 CET/19:45 BST/15:45 EDT

Stream: Sky Sports

Television: Sky Sports Red Button (U.K), Fox Sports 1 (U.S.A)

Reigning Russian Premier League champions and winners of two Russian cups in the last four seasons, Leonid Slutski's side have registered two draws and six wins since their new campaign began on July 17.

CSKA will be without some key players, with midfielder Zoran Tosic and playmaker Alan Dzagoev ruled out through injury and Rasmus Elm, Mario Fernandez, Mark Gonzalez and Seydou Doumbia also sidelined.

Slutski, told UEFA.com this week:

"

It's disappointing to be without Dzagoev but we must be flexible in these situations. It will be tough, playing against one of the best teams in the world, but we will give everything. They are a team of extraordinary players who like to play attacking football and it's only a matter of time before they adapt to Guardiola's philosophy.

 

"

CSKA Moscow Match Facts:

Last game: CSKA Moscow 1-0 FC Rostov

League Position: Top of the Russian Premier League, leading FC Zenit St. Petersburg by three points

Top scorer: Ahmed Musa, five goals

Domestic form: D-W-W-D-W-W-W-W

Biggest summer transfer: Vitinho (Botafogo), £8.3 million

Last game: CSKA 1-0 FC Rostov

Bayern are also in a rich vein of form, having won four and drawn one of their opening Bundesliga fixtures.

Even though the hosts have injury worries of their own in Thiago Alcantara (ankle), Javier Martinez (groin) and Mario Gotze (ankle), with Bastian Schweinsteiger also a doubt, Pep Guardiola's men have reason to feel confident on home soil.

The Bavarian club have won 12 of their last 14 Champions League fixtures, including the 4-0 rout against Barcelona in last season's semifinal in Munich.

Bayern defender Jerome Boateng told the club's official website that the side are determined to make a good start. He said:

"

We would of course love to be the first team to achieve it [retaining the trophy]. However, we're at the start of the season and can't afford to think that far yet. We take each game as it comes. At the moment it's important to make a good start to the group phase.

As always, we want to go as far as we can in the competition. It's pivotal for us to make a good start.

"

Elsewhere, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer told UEFA.com, "We simply must progress."

Bayern Munich Match Facts:

Last game: Bayern Munich 2-0 Hannover

League Position: Second, two points behind Borussia Dortmund

Top scorer: Mario Mandzukic, three goals

Domestic form: W-W-W-D-W

Biggest summer transfer: Mario Gotze (Dortmund), £32.5 million

Date: Tuesday, September 17

Time: 20:45 CET/19:45 BST/15:45 EDT

Stream: Sky Sports

Television: Sky Sports Red Button (U.K), Fox Sports 1 (U.S.A)