Bayern Munich concluded the league phase of the 2024-25 Champions League by reaching the knockout stage playoffs with a 12th-place finish after a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday.

MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) -Bayern Munich eased past Slovan Bratislava 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday but the Germans missed out on a top-eight finish and automatic qualification and will go into a playoff for a spot in the Round of 16.

After a frantic last round of action Wednesday, the inaugural 36-team league phase in Champions League history is over.

Bayern Munich are guaranteed a place in the playoffs for the Champions League's last 16 regardless of Wednesday's result against Slovan Bratislava, but coach Vincent Kompany is still hopeful his side can somehow navigate a top-eight finish.

After last week’s Champions League disaster-class vs. Feyenoord, Bayern Munich rebounded with a Bundesliga win over SC Freiburg. Now, though, the Bavarians will host Slovan Bratislava in a match they they need to win.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany says "anything is possible" despite his team only holding a slim chance of finishing in the Champions League top eight ahead of their last league match against Slovan Bratislava at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.