Bayern Munich Ease Past Slovan Bratislava to Secure UCL Play-Off Spot

Bayern Munich secured a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League, booking their spot in the play-off round. Get the latest UCL updates, match highlights, and results.

Bayern Munich secured a 3-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava, becoming the first team in UEFA Champions League history to remain unbeaten in 34 consecutive home matches (W32, D2). A win was necessary for Bayern to have a chance at automatic progression to the last 16, and they started positively, breaking the deadlock in just eight minutes.

Thomas Muller, restored to the starting XI after being left out of the matchday squad for the weekend win over Freiburg, marked his return with a goal. He headed home Joshua Kimmich's delightful delivery into the danger zone, giving Bayern an early lead. The six-time UCL winners nearly doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute, but Mathys Tel sent a wayward shot over the bar.

Bayern München end the league phase with a win ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/JtpU4hw65S

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

Leroy Sane soon tested Slovan goalkeeper Dominik Takac with a shot from just outside the area, but Takac expertly thwarted the effort. Despite creating 15 attempts on goal, Bayern had to settle for a slender 1-0 lead at halftime.

The second half continued with Bayern dominating the proceedings, and 10 minutes in, Leroy Sane's goal-hungry threat forced Dominik Takac into making another sublime save. However, Takac's resistance was eventually broken shortly after the hour mark when Jamal Musiala set up Harry Kane with a perfect cross, allowing the English striker to head Bayern into a two-goal lead.

Bayern rounded off a satisfactory night with a third goal in the 84th minute, courtesy of substitute Kingsley Coman. Coman beat Takac with a sublimely-struck shot after an eye-catching team move that sliced open Slovan's defense. Although Marko Tolic scored a consolation goal for Slovan in the 90th minute, it had no bearing on the result, which saw Bayern secure a 3-1 win.

The league phase is complete ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/8Ix7MvcqI4

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 29, 2025

The victory means Bayern will participate in the two-leg play-off round, a disappointing outcome considering their underwhelming performance during the league phase (W5, L3). In contrast, Slovan Bratislava's poor campaign has come to an end, with the Slovakian side losing all eight of their matches.