Bayern reach playoffs phase with brilliant victory over Bratislava

Bayern Munich concluded the league phase of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava. As the win wasn’t enough to get them into the top eight, the Bavarians will go into the knockout phase playoffs.

In the final game of the Champions League’s league phase, Bayern Munich defeated Slovan Bratislava 3-1 at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany made several changes to the team that beat Freiburg 2-1 at the weekend, giving rare starts to Sacha Boey, Josip Stanisic, Mathys Tel, and Thomas Müller.

Müller gave the Bavarians a dream start when he nodded in Joshua Kimmich’s cross after just eight minutes. But despite the early goal, the game did not end in the goal-fest that many had predicted.

The Bavarians lacked the final touch in the final third for large spells of the game, and they almost conceded an equalizer when Tigran Barseghyan was allowed to run straight at Manuel Neuer, only for the veteran goalkeeper to pull off a stunning reflex save midway through the first half.

Vincent Kompany’s men were in complete control from the start of the second half, and Jamal Musiala made an immediate impact after coming on just after the hour mark, finding Harry Kane at the back post to head home.

Kingsley Coman scored a third in the 84th minute when he slotted home the rebound after Serge Gnabry’s initial effort had been saved.

The visitors then grabbed a late consolation when Marko Tolic skipped past Raphael Guerreiro before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the net just before the final whistle.

The win sees Bayern finish 12th, meaning they will now face knockout phase playoffs in the Champions League.

With the knockout phase achieved, Bayern Weill return to Bundesliga action on Saturday when they welcome Holstein Kiel to the Allianz Arena.