Bayern Munich will face either Manchester City or Celtic in the UEFA Champions League last 16 play-offs after missing out on direct qualification, despite beating Slovan Bratislava in their final league phase fixture.

Bayern Munich 3-1 Slovan Bratislava
Goals: 1-0 Müller 8' (assist: Kimmich), 2-0 Kane (assist: Musiala), 3-0 Coman 84', 3-1 Tolić 90'

Bayern knew they had to win to have any chance of bypassing the play-offs, whilst needing favourable results elsewhere. The Bundesliga leaders kept up their end of the bargain with an early goal at an expectant Allianz Arena as Thomas Müller converted a Joshua Kimmich cross for his fifth competitive goal of the season. Bayern had already tested Dominik Takáč twice by that point through Mathys Tel and Harry Kane. They continued to knock at the door, albeit being largely restricted to speculative efforts and half chances. Tel spurned the clearest-cut of the bunch, the French teenager racing through on goal only to plant his shot into the side netting. Between times, Slovan almost nicked an equaliser, with Manuel Neuer brilliantly denying Tigran Barseghyan and Kimmich blocking Nino Marcelli's follow-up.

The second half continued in much the same pattern as the first, with Bayern in control as Takáč denied Leroy Sané and Tel. Vincent Kompany tried to inject a little more life into his side's attacking play with a trio of substitutes just past the hour. Jamal Musiala's impact was immediate, the fresh pair of Bayern legs' deflected cross finding Kane for a close-range finish and overdue two-goal cushion. A deflection off a defender prevented Serge Gnabry from adding a third. The Bayern sub was then denied by Takáč following a flowing passing move, but there was no stopping Kingsley Coman from burying the rebound. Marko Tolić thundered in an unstoppable consolation goal for Slovan in the 90th minute, but it was all academic for Bayern. Results involving the teams around them mean they finish the league phase in 12th and go into Friday's last 16 play-off draw, with Pep Guardiola's Man City or Scottish champions Celtic the opposition.

Match stats

• Bayern are unbeaten in their last 34 home games in the Champions League opening round (W32, D2) - a new competition record.
• Kane has 14 goals in 19 Champions League appearances for Bayern, including a team-leading six in seven games so far this season. 
• Musiala has had a direct hand in eight goals in his last 10 matches at the Allianz Arena in the Champions League's first round (group stage/ league phase). What's more, he has never lost a home game in the competition (W18, D3). Only John O’Shea (32), Rodri (27) and Carlos Tevez (23) have played more on home turf without losing.
• Slovan have never won an away game in the European Cup/ Champions League (D1, L9). Their UEFA competition record in Germany is: D1, L3.

Teams

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Kimmich, Stanišić, Kim, Boey (Gnabry 62') - Pavlović - Sané, Müller (Musiala 62'), Olise, Tel (Coman 62') - Kane
Unused subs: Schmitt, Klanac, Upamecano, Palhinha, Guerreiro, Laimer, Buchmann, Aznou
Out: Dier (unconfirmed), Goretzka (suspended), Ito (foot), Peretz (kidney), Ulreich (suspended)
Coach: Vincent Kompany

Slovan: Takáč - Blackman, Kashia (c), Wimmer, Zuberu (Tolić 77') - Bajrić, Savvidis - Szöke (Mustafić 77') - Barseghyan (Mak 70'), Strelec (Metsoko 70'), Marcelli (Medveděv 62')
Unused subs: Mikoláš, Trnovský, Voet, Pauschek, Gajdoš, Vojtko, Ihnatenko
Out: Kucka (knee)
Coach: Vladimír Weiss

As it happened!

3 - 1

(1 - 0)

Bayern

FINAL

Bratislava

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 8 League phase, Matchday 8 Allianz Arena

Full-time: Bayern 3-1 Slovan

Bayern win on the night to make it a new Champions League record 34 group/ league phase home games without loss. However, results elsewhere mean they miss out on automatic qualification for the last 16 and will instead be in Friday's play-off draw, where either Man City or Celtic await.

© Adam Pretty

90'

+ 1

Added time

Three more minutes in Munich. Still time for Bayern to sneak through to the last 16 without having to face a play-off...

90'

What a hit!

Marko Tolić with a superb consolation goal for Slovan. He was way out, but Neuer had no chance.

90'

Marko Tolić

GOAL!

3:1

85'

Back in the swing

Guerreiro's on for the final stages. Stanisic can be happy with his display on his first competitive start since August.

84'

Substitution

Raphaël Guerreiro

Josip Stanišić

84'

Threeasy-peasy!

Another Bayern sub with a goal. It's a lovely team move, with Olise, Musiala and Kane combining to great effect. Takáč thwarts Gnabry, but can do nothing about Coman on the rebound.

84'

Kingsley Coman

GOAL!

3:0

79'

Close!

Gnabry's been a real live wire since coming on. He almost gets his goal, but a deflection takes his shot on the turn over.

77'

Substitution

Marko Tolić

Sharani Zuberu

77'

Substitution

Alen Mustafić

Július Szöke

74'

Permutations

Bayern are coasting, Slovan look beaten. The problem is: the five teams immediately above Kompany's charges are also all winning. They need more goals and someone to do them a favour to advance as one of the top eight.

70'

Substitution

Idjessi Metsoko

David Strelec

70'

Substitution

Róbert Mak

Tigran Barseghyan

66'

Fresh legs, fresh ideas

Gnabry has a second bite of the cherry after his first shot is blocked. His second is straight at the goalkeeper. Kompany's changes are having the desired effect, mind...

63'

Kane gives Bayern daylight

At last! Musiala, who'd only just come on as one of three Bayern changes, makes an instant impact. His deflected cross falls for Kane, who can't miss from close range.

63'

Harry Kane

GOAL!

2:0

62'

Substitution

Jurij Medveděv

Nin Marcelli

62'

Substitution

Jamal Musiala

Thomas Müller

62'

Substitution

Serge Gnabry

Sacha Boey

62'

Substitution

Kingsley Coman

Mathys Tel

58'

Counter threat

Slovan hit Bayern on the break, with Blackmann leading the charge. He sweeps a pass into the middle, but Pavlović slides in to make a crucial block. Such a dangerous scoreline for the hosts, this...

57'

Chances

Takáč thwarts Tel, before Müller fails to do more with a Kimmich pass into the danger zone. Much like in the first half, Bayern are asking all the questions...

54'

Takáč on hand

Slovan's stopper makes a strong save to prevent Sané finding the corner after great work by Olise. He's certainly not letting the occasion get the better of him.

50'

Right idea, wrong execution

Bayern continue to get decent balls into the opposition penalty area, but the end product just isn't there yet. Case in point just now as Kane fails to make more of Müller's well-worked pass, the England man firing wide.

46'

As you were

No changes at the break. Bayern do have the likes of Coman, Gnabry and Musiala on the bench, though...

Kick-off!

Half-time: Bayern 1-0 Slovan

Müller's early goal has Bayern ahead, but it's not been the stroll in the park many expected. Slovan went very close to levelling against the run of play, whilst otherwise restricting Bayern to half chances. As things stand, the record champions remain in the play-off places.

© Alexander Hassenstein

Half-time

41'

Worth a hit

Kim scored in the Bundesliga at the weekend, but his latest effort - an optimistic strike from fully 30 yards - doesn't find the target. Still, that shows the confidence levels in the Korean defender.

41'

Crossed wires

Kane and Stanišić get in each other's way as Olise pops a promising ball into the penalty area. Stanišić gets there first, the Croatian heading wide.

37'

Radar off

Kane receives a pass into the box from Müller, but gets his timing all wrong and the ball goes harmlessly wide.

36'

All change

Now Leverkusen are in the automatic qualification places as Florian Wirtz breaks the deadlock against Sparta. They climb to seventh, bumping BVB out of the top eight in the process.

34'

From downtown

Bayern from range again as Tel launches a speculative strike over. To Slovan's credit, they're barely conceding any clear-cut chances.

32'

Yellow card

Cesar Blackman

28'

Normal service resumed

Bayern respond with Sané, whose fierce strike is beaten behind by the goalkeeper. Olise's first corner doesn't cause much bother, but Bayern get it back and win another. This time Olise lands a cross in front of Kim, who's taken a little by surprise and can't do anything meaningful with the opportunity.

26'

Nervy moment!

Slovan fashion a great chance for an equaliser from almost nothing. Barseghyan's the instigator as he skirts Stanišić's challenge before shooting goalwards. Neuer makes a brilliant save and Kimmich is on hand to block Marcelli's close-range follow-up.

23'

Tel chance!

The teenager races onto Kimmich's defence-splitting pass, but puts his shot into the side netting with only the goalkeeper to beat. He's kicking himself for not getting that at least on target!

20'

Harry Tame

The Englishman doesn't make a full connection with another superb cross from out wide, allowing Takáč to gather. Slovan do not know how to deal with Bayern's wide players...

18'

Elsewhere...

Dortmund have taken the lead home to Shakhtar. With Milan a goal down in Zagreb, BVB are now up to eighth place, above Bayern on goal difference. Leverkusen - currently goalless with Sparta - are in 11th.

15'

Bayern, Bayern and more Bayern

Slovan can't live with the pace and precision of these Bayern attacks as Tel has an effort charged down. At this rate, the Bavarians could rack up a cricket score...

12'

One-way traffic

Bayern try to press home their advantage, but Olise's shot from outside the area is blocked by Wimmer.

8'

Third time lucky!

Moments after Takáč keeps out Kane, Müller meets Kimmich's inch-perfect pass to put Bayern ahead. Kompany's team are up to 10th in the live table, a point outside the top eight.

8'

Thomas Müller

GOAL!

1:0

5'

Tel!

The young Frenchman gets his head to a cross from the right, but Takáč is able to keep it out.

4'

Bayern in control

As is the norm at the Allianz Arena. This could be a long night of cat and mouse for the visitors...

1'

Under way!

Will it be the last 16 or last 16 play-offs for the Bundesliga leaders? Stay tuned to find out...

Kick-off!

Atmosphere building

The Bayern fans are in jubilant mood. They expect a win and probably a big one at that. The record champions' 9-2 victory over Dinamo on Matchday 1 made them the first team in Champions League history to score nine goals in one match. Will we see a repeat showing?

Welcome return for Stanišić

Stanišić makes only his second start of the season tonight, following five months out with a knee injury. The Croatia international impressed from the bench at the weekend and gets his reward today, though he usually operates at right-back.

More on those teams

With Goretzka suspended and carrying a knock, and Davies ruled out, Kimmich continues at right-back, with Boey on the opposite flank. There's no Dier either, so Stanišić starts in central defence. Olise, Tel and Müller come into a fearsome attack spearheaded by Kane. Musiala is among the Bayern substitutes, as is former Nurember striker Mak for visiting Slovan.

Bayern starting line-up

Neuer (c) - Kimmich, Stanišić, Kim, Boey - Pavlović - Sané, Müller, Olise, Tel - Kane

Bayern subs

Schmitt, Klanac, Upamecano, Gnabry, Coman, Palhinha, Guerreiro, Laimer, Buchmann, Musiala, Aznou

Slovan starting line-up

Takáč - Blackman, Kashia (c), Wimmer, Zuberu - Bajrić, Savvidis - Szöke - Barseghyan, Strelec, Marcelli

Slovan subs

Mikoláš, Trnovský, Voet, Tolić, Medveděv, Mustafić, Mak, Pauschek, Gajdoš, Vojtko, Ihnatenko, Metsoko

Bayern vs. Slovakia

Bayern have only ever played Slovak opponents twice before. Gerd Müller got a couple in an aggregate win over Tatran Prešov in the 1966/67 Cup Winners’ Cup while Jupp Heynckes’ side comfortably defeated Dunajska Streda in the 1988/89 UEFA Cup.

© IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER

Set-piece threat

Five of Bayern’s 11 Champions League goals at home this season have come from set-pieces. With the quality of delivery from dead-ball situations, are you really surprised?

© DFL/Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann

Strelec, born to score

It’s perhaps no surprise that striker David Strelec is Slovan’s leading scorer in the competition with two: his surname translates into English as “sharpshooter”.

© JOE KLAMAR

Home sweet home for Jamal

Jamal Musiala has never – yes, NEVER – lost a home game in the Champions League. He’s played 20 times in the competition at the Allianz Arena for 17 wins and 3 draws. The Germany international has contributed to that recently with seven goal involvements in his last nine Champions League home games in the group stage/league phase (two goals, five assists).

© IMAGO/Frey-Pressebild/Deines

Return of the Mak

Bundesliga fans may remember the name of Slovan's Robert Mak, who spent four years at Nürnberg between 2010 and 2014. He arrived in Germany after coming through the Manchester City youth academy, and made 76 Bundesliga appearances for the now Bundesliga 2 club.

© Anton Vaganov - Pool

Record-breaking Bayern?

Bayern are unbeaten in 33 Champions League home games in the group stage/league phase. It’s the joint-longest run in the competition along with Barcelona’s 11-year unbeaten streak over the same number of games on home soil between November 2009 and November 2020. That means, Bayern can break the record against Slovan.

© IMAGO

Top 8 target

In the new format, only the top 8 teams qualify automatically for the Last 16. Bayern still have a mathematical chance of doing that, but will focus on their performance and hope everything else goes their way. "The chances of getting into the top eight aren't great but there's a small window," said Thomas Müller. ""We want to do everything we can.”

© IMAGO/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON

Defensive reshuffle

Kompany has few options at centre-back with Upamecano injured and Dier ill. Kim is expected to play despite his Achilles problem with Stanišić slotting in alongside him.

© IMAGO/Domenic Aquilina

Slovan Bratislava head coach Vladimir Weiss on Bayern

"Bayern were the better team against Feyenoord and had a lot of chances. But Feyenoord had an incredible goalkeeper - that won't matter for Bayern tomorrow. They are almost unbeatable, they won 11 league titles in a row in recent years. They are one of the absolute top teams, and Bayern will only become more dangerous after losing to Feyenoord."

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Jenni Maul

Vincent Kompany's thoughts

"This format is fun for the statisticians. For me it is important that we focus on winning the game. We are always strong at home. I expect the motivation to always be there, no matter what the score is, and that we play a complete game from the start. We have respect for our opponents."

© IMAGO

The story so far: Slovan Bratislava

They sit joint bottom with Young Boys, having failed to pick up a point so far this campaign. They did give Italian giants AC Milan a run for their money at home, however, but ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat. They do have a couple of former Bundesliga representatives in their ranks in former Nuremberg winger Robert Mak, and former Cologne ( as well as Hannover and Karlsruhe) defender Kevin Wimmer.

The story so far: Bayern Munich

They lie in 15th place at the moment with 12 points, just one point behind Bundesliga rivals Leverkusen in 8th, and level with Dortmund in 14th. They fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Feyenoord last time out, and will look to put that right at home this time around. They have lost three times in the tournament so far, with the other defeats coming against former Bayern boss Hansi Flick's Barcelona (4-1) and Aston Villa (1-0). They remain capable of automatically advancing into the round of 16.

© IMAGO/Markus Ulmer

1:02

Watch: Freiburg 1-2 Bayern Munich - highlights

Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the table with an away win at Freiburg, meaning it is now four wins from four in 2025.

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Bayern Munich's eighth and final game of the UEFA Champions League's 2024/25 league phase at home to Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday, with all 18 fixtures being played simultaneously on the final matchday.

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