Bayern Munich will hope to break into the top eight when they take on winless Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich will host Slovan Bratislava at the Allianz Arena in the final league phase fixture of the UEFA Champions League, with both teams at opposite ends of the competition’s spectrum. The Bavarian giants sit precariously in 15th place, just one point outside the top eight, while their Slovakian counterparts languish at the bottom of the table (35th), with no points to their name.
For Bayern, this game is a crucial opportunity to secure automatic qualification to the knockout rounds. Die Roten, managed by Vincent Kompany, have experienced a rollercoaster campaign. Despite winning four of their seven matches, three defeats, including a heavy 3-0 loss to Feyenoord in the previous round, have left them needing a win in their final game to advance comfortably.
Their domestic form, however, remains strong. Bayern extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to six points with a 2-1 win over Freiburg over the weekend, thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Kim Min-jae. At home, they have been imperious this season, winning 11 of their 13 competitive fixtures at the Allianz Arena, including all three Champions League home games.
Slovan Bratislava, meanwhile, have endured a dismal Champions League campaign. Vladimir Weiss’s side have lost all seven of their matches, conceding 24 goals — the worst defensive record in the competition. In their last game, they fell to a 3-1 defeat to VfB Stuttgart, and the Slovakian champions now have only pride to play for in their final group fixture.
Historically, Slovan have struggled against German sides in European competition, with just one win in six away games — their last such victory dating back to the 1992/93 season against Werder Bremen. Their recent away form in Europe has been equally poor, with two heavy defeats in their last two games, conceding nine goals in total.
Expect Bayern to dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities. Harry Kane is likely to add to his goal tally, and Leroy Sane could exploit the wide areas against a weak Slovan defence. The away side’s best chance may come from counter-attacks, but their lack of clinical finishing will limit their threat. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are set to be without a number of key players for their final league-phase match against Slovan Bratislava. Alphonso Davies is sidelined for four to six weeks due to a hamstring injury he suffered against Feyenoord, leaving a void at left-back. Hiroki Ito remains unavailable due to a foot injury, and Dayot Upamecano is doubtful after missing the recent Bundesliga clash against Freiburg.
Leon Goretzka, who was forced off with an injury in the first half of Bayern’s win over Freiburg, is unavailable due to suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. In goal, Manuel Neuer will be the only senior option, as Daniel Peretz is still sidelined with injury and Sven Ulreich is suspended after being sent off for dissent in last week’s game against Feyenoord.
On a positive note, Konrad Laimer is available again after serving a one-match suspension in the Bundesliga, and he is expected to slot in at right-back for this encounter.
Bayern Munich are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation for this match, with Manuel Neuer as the goalkeeper. Konrad Laimer will fill in at right-back, with Kim Min-jae and Eric Dier forming the central defensive partnership. Raphael Guerreiro is expected to occupy the left-back position.
In midfield, Joshua Kimmich will partner Aleksandar Pavlovic in a double-pivot to provide both defensive stability and creativity. The attacking midfield trio will consist of Michael Olise on the right wing, Jamal Musiala in the central playmaking role, and Kingsley Coman on the left wing. Leading the line as the lone striker will be Harry Kane, who will look to exploit Slovan Bratislava’s defensive frailties.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Kim, Dier, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane
Slovan Bratislava
Slovan Bratislava continue to deal with the absence of their experienced midfielder Juraj Kucka, who remains sidelined due to a knee injury. His absence deprives the visitors of one of their most reliable figures in the middle of the park.
To cope with the attacking firepower of Bayern Munich, manager Vladimir Weiss could opt for a defensive approach by deploying a three-man central defence. This setup will likely include Guram Kashia, Kevin Wimmer, and Siemen Voet, providing a solid wall in front of goalkeeper Dominik Takac.
In attack, David Strelec will lead the line once again. The forward has been in excellent form this season, scoring 15 goals in 34 competitive matches. However, despite scoring on matchday seven, Idjessi Metsoko may start on the bench, as Weiss is expected to go with more defensive stability in the starting lineup.
Slova Bratislava are likely to set up in a 3-4-3 formation to handle Bayern Munich’s attacking threat while retaining some counter-attacking capability. Dominik Takac will be the goalkeeper between the sticks. In the back three, Guram Kashia, Kevin Wimmer, and Siemen Voet are expected to form a tight defensive unit.
The midfield will consist of four players: Kenan Bajric and Kyriakos Savvidis will operate centrally, while Cesar Blackman and Sharani Zuberu will play as wing-backs, tasked with both defensive duties and providing width in attack.
In the attacking third, Robert Mak and Nino Marcelli are likely to support lone striker David Strelec. Strelec’s goalscoring form will be crucial if Slovan Bratislava hope to pose a threat to Bayern’s defence.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Takac; Kashia, Wimmer, Voet; Blackman, Bajric, Savvidis, Zuberu; Mak, Marcelli, Strelec
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich and Slovan Bratislava will meet in a competitive fixture for the first time. The last time Bayern faced a Slovakian opponent in European competition was in the 1988-89 UEFA Cup, where they beat DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda 5-1 on aggregate in the Round of 32.
- Slovan Bratislava will travel to Germany for the fourth time in major European competition. They have failed to win in their three previous trips, recording one draw and two losses (D1 L2). Their most recent visit resulted in a 2-2 draw with Stuttgart during a 2010-11 UEFA Europa League qualifier.
- Bayern Munich are unbeaten in their last 33 home games in the UEFA Champions League group stage (W31 D2). This run ties the longest unbeaten home streak in the competition’s history, level with Barcelona’s record between November 2009 and November 2020.
- Slovan Bratislava have never won in nine previous away games in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League (D1 L8). They could join the ranks of five other teams that have played 10 or more matches on the road in the competition without ever tasting victory, such as APOEL Nicosia (20 games) and HJK Helsinki (13 games).
- Just under half (45%) of Bayern Munich’s home UEFA Champions League goals this season have come via set pieces (5/11). Only three of their previous campaigns saw a higher percentage of set-piece goals on home soil, most recently in 2018/19 (56%).
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
With his clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and leadership qualities, Kane has quickly become the focal point of Bayern Munich’s attack. This season, experienced striker has been a consistent goal-scoring threat, having already notched up an impressive tally across all competitions.
His ability to find the back of the net in crucial moments has been pivotal for Bayern’s campaign, particularly in high-stakes matches. Furthermore, his hold-up play and vision have made him a perfect fit for Bayern’s style of play under Vincent Kompany, allowing him to link up effectively with creative talents like Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman.
Against Slovan Bratislava, Kane will relish the opportunity to exploit a shaky defensive line that has conceded 24 goals in just seven Champions League matches. Given Slovan’s struggles in handling top-tier opposition, Kane’s predatory instincts in the box could spell trouble for the visitors. Moreover, his ability to convert set pieces — a strength of Bayern’s this season — could prove decisive, particularly against a team vulnerable to defensive lapses.
With Bayern needing all three points to stay in contention for automatic qualification to the Champions League Round of 16, Harry Kane’s experience and composure in front of goal will be invaluable. Expect him to lead the line with authority and potentially add to his growing goal tally in Europe.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 5-0 Slovan Bratislava
It is difficult to look past Bayern Munich in this matchup, especially considering the stakes and their dominance at home this season. Vincent Kompany’s men have plenty to play for, and the quality of players like Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, and Jamal Musiala should make this a comfortable outing.
For Slovan Bratislava, this is a daunting task. Their defensive vulnerabilities and lack of quality in key areas make them ill-equipped to deal with Bayern’s high-octane attack. While they may sit back and aim to frustrate the hosts, Bayern’s superior firepower and tactical depth should overwhelm the visitors. The Hard Tackle predicts a 5-0 win for Kompany and his charges.