Bayern conclude league phase with Bratislava win

FC Bayern beat Slovan Bratislava 3-1 in the last match of the Champions League's league phase on Wednesday night. Thomas Müller handed Bayern an early lead, with Harry Kane doubling the advantage after the hour. Kingsley Coman put the game to bed in the closing stages before Marko Tolić got a consolation goal for Slovan. Despite the result, Munich will contest the play-offs for the right to reach the round of 16.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Sacha Boey, Joshua Kimmich, Minjae Kim and Josip Stanišić in defence. Aleksandar Pavlović, Leroy Sané, Michael Olise, Müller and Mathys Tel took up station in midfield, with Kane as the front man. Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, Coman and Raphaël Guerreiro took over from Boey, Müller, Tel and Stanišić in the second half.

Müller opens

Munich set up camp in the opposition half from the off, keeper Dominik Takáč denying Tel and Kane, but a Kimmich cross soon invited Müller to head home. Olise saw an effort deflected wide before Kimmich's pinpoint pass found Tel, who hit the side-netting.

Tigran Barseghyan raced clear and had only Neuer to beat, but the Bayern captain made a strong save to preserve the lead. Sané saw a shot saved before Kane miscued a header, and after Kim fired over from distance, Bayern were only one goal up at half-time despite their dominance.

Kane and Coman on target

Takáč denied Sané and Tel before Müller headed agonisingly wide, but Kane doubled the advantage when he headed home from a Musiala cross. Gnabry saw a shot deflected just wide and soon had an effort parried, but Coman was on hand to mop up and make it three. Sané hit the bar and Tolić miscued before he got a consolation goal for Slovan.

The result means Munich finish the league phase on 15 points in 12th place and will contest the play-offs. They will learn the identity of their next Champions League opponents on Friday. Bayern will be back in action on Saturday when they entertain Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen