The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we could get FC Bayern vs.

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.

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.

Bayern Munich is crunching the numbers to see under what scenarios it can achieve a “top eight finish” in the Champions League: Although very complicated, Bayern did not give up on finishing in the top 8 in order to avoid the playoffs.