Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said his side sense the "drama" after back-to-back defeats in the Champions League ahead of their game against Benfica on Wednesday.
Bayern opened their European campaign with a 9-2 thumping of Dinamo Zagreb but have since lost at Aston Villa and Barcelona.
The six-time European champions sit 23rd in the table under the new format, four points behind the top eight who will qualify directly for the last 16.
The next 16 clubs in the standings will enter a two-legged play-off round, with the bottom 12 eliminated.
Kompany, who joined Bayern in the close season from Burnley, said his side were "confident" but realised "there's a little bit of drama in it".
"We've had two really difficult games. We've played away twice," Kompany said on Tuesday.
"The situation is clear; you probably have to win six games to get into the top eight.
"Three games are probably enough for the playoffs -- of course my goal is to get into the top eight."
Lisbon-born Bayern midfielder Joao Palhinha, who formerly played for Benfica's city rivals Sporting, said the players would treat Wednesday's match "as a final".
"When you play for such a big club, the pressure comes automatically."
Palhinha also wished former coach Ruben Amorim well ahead of his move from Sporting to Manchester United.
"It's a big move for him, which he deserves. My former (Sporting) colleagues enjoyed playing under him, as I did," said Palhinha.
"As a former team-mate and friend, I wish him the best of luck."