Bayern Munich’s 3-1 triumph over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League was a textbook example of an unfulfilling win. Despite a clear margin of victory, the Bavarians were left deflated as they fell short of reclaiming their fate in the group-stage standings. Last week’s costly defeat to Feyenoord in Rotterdam left Bayern needing not just a victory, but an astronomical goal difference to bypass their current predicament. Instead, they now face a daunting play-off clash against either Manchester City or Celtic to secure their place in the knockouts.
Thomas Müller, who scored during the match and moved level with Ruud van Nistelrooy on the Champions League’s all-time top scorer list with 56 goals, encapsulated the team’s bittersweet mood. “It’s weird when a win doesn’t feel like a win,” Müller reflected. “But we knew this could happen. It wasn’t in our hands. We brought this situation onto ourselves with the defeat in Rotterdam last week.” The veteran forward expressed a sense of realism, adding, “We wanted to finish in the top eight. We haven’t done that. Now we need to regroup and focus on the next challenges.”
The draw on Friday will determine Bayern’s play-off opponent, offering either the Premier League giants Manchester City or the resilient Scottish champions Celtic. Both scenarios present significant hurdles for the German champions, who have yet to find consistency in this year’s campaign. The team’s lack of dominance in key moments has placed immense pressure on their upcoming matches, with Müller acknowledging the need for mental and tactical recalibration.
Before diving back into the European spotlight, Bayern will return to Bundesliga action on Saturday against newly promoted Holstein Kiel. The league fixture offers a brief respite and a chance to rebuild confidence before their Champions League fate is decided. As Bayern awaits their play-off opponent, all eyes will be on how the team balances preparation with redemption, knowing that their journey in Europe now hangs by a thread.