By Soham Mukherjee

January 29, 2025 | 23:47 CET

Bayern Munich may have secured a convincing victory over Slovan Bratislava, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the consequences of their earlier missteps in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Despite a dominant display led by Harry Kane, Die Roten now find themselves facing the unwanted challenge of a play-off round to continue their European journey.

Kane Leads the Charge, But It’s Not Enough

Harry Kane, Bayern’s talismanic striker, delivered a clinical performance, playing a key role in dismantling the Slovakian champions. The English forward was on the scoresheet yet again, adding to his impressive goal tally this season. His efforts, alongside those of Leroy Sané and Jamal Musiala, ensured a comfortable win for the German giants.

However, the celebrations were muted as results elsewhere sealed Bayern’s fate. Despite the win, other group-stage outcomes meant that Thomas Tuchel’s side fell short of automatic qualification to the Champions League knockout stages. Instead, they now face a tricky play-off round—an unusual and disappointing scenario for a club of Bayern’s stature.

Early Stumbles Prove Costly

Bayern’s struggles earlier in the group stage ultimately came back to haunt them. A series of underwhelming performances, including a shock defeat to a lower-ranked opponent and a frustrating draw in a crucial fixture, left them vulnerable heading into the final matchday. Even with their victory over Bratislava, the damage had already been done.

This situation serves as a wake-up call for the Bavarian giants, who have been perennial contenders in Europe’s elite competition. While Bayern remains a formidable force, their inconsistency this season has raised questions about their ability to compete with Europe’s best.

Play-Off Challenge Awaits

Now, Bayern must prepare for a high-stakes play-off tie to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Their potential opponents could include strong teams from other groups, making the road to the knockout rounds more difficult than usual.

For Tuchel and his squad, the play-offs represent both a challenge and an opportunity. A failure to advance would be a major embarrassment, while a convincing performance could reignite their European ambitions. With Harry Kane in top form and the squad packed with talent, Bayern will be expected to navigate the challenge successfully.

However, this latest setback is a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted in the Champions League. Bayern Munich, despite their illustrious history, must now fight to reclaim their place among Europe’s elite.