Complete Report Card for Bayern Munich in 2014

German football is finished for the calendar year; its traditional mid-season hiatus will run until late January. For Bayern Munich, 2014 had its ups and downs, but mostly ups.

The Bavarian giants won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal in May, and had more representatives in the World Cup in every round than any other team. When the club season resumed, it didn't take long for Pep Guardiola's side to hit top gear. At the break, they're among the favorites to win the Champions League and almost expected to win the Pokal again, while they hold a 11-point lead in the Bundesliga.

The year wasn't all roses for Bayern, however, the club experiencing their worst-ever defeat in the Champions League semi-final, a 5-0 aggregate defeat to eventual champions Real Madrid. But aside from that glaring mark on their record, there's little that can be said to fault Bayern in terms of their performance. On the whole, they've been dominant.

With 2014 coming to a close, B/R reviews all of Bayern's current professionals, grading them on their performances for club and at the World Cup, with adjustments for expectations. Players who were part of the Bayern squad for the full calendar year were only assessed if they made 25 or more appearances; those only signed or promoted to the senior team for the second half of the campaign made the cut if they made 12 appearances.

Without further ado, click "Begin Slideshow" for a look at the goalkeepers, followed by defenders, midfielders and forwards.

Goalkeepers

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Manuel Neuer: A+

There is only one mark that a Ballon d’Or finalist can receive, and that’s the highest possible. Manuel Neuer was simply phenomenal in 2014, his performances for Germany and Bayern Munich alike earning him recognition as one of the top three players in world football. Some fault him for having a strong team ahead of him at club level, asserting that he could only win the award for his performance at the World Cup, which accounts for only a month of the calendar year.

This argument is faulty: Neuer was actually the most consistent of the three finalists and a difference-maker for Bayern in the DFB-Pokal final and Germany throughout the World Cup. He’s redefined the goalkeeping position and may one day be remembered as one of the game’s greatest at his position.

Pepe Reina: N/A

Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina only joined Bayern in the summer and spent much of the fall campaign injured. He’s yet to play a single minute of competitive football for Bayern, and with Neuer as magnificent as he’s been, it will be hard for the Spaniard to earn playing time.

Tom Starke: N/A

Like Reina, Tom Starke hasn’t played a single minute of football in 2014-15. He was Neuer’s backup last season but only made two appearances in 2014 (a 4-0 win away to Hannover and a 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim), so no assessment can be made.

Leopold Zingerle: N/A

Leopold Zingerle is Bayern’s fourth-choice goalkeeper, who didn’t play a minute of professional football in 2014. If seasoned veterans like Reina and Starke can’t get a run-out, the reserve goalkeeper Zingerle’s chances stand at slim to nil.

Defenders

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Jerome Boateng: A+

The 2014 calendar year solidified Jerome Boateng’s status as one of the world’s best center-backs. After playing a hugely impressive role in Bayern’s treble-winning 2012-13 campaign, he carried over his high level of performance for club and country and was one of the Bundesliga’s best players overall. He also was arguably the best defender at the World Cup and emerged a champion despite a rotation of partners for him that occurred due to repeated injuries to Mats Hummels.

Boateng made one mistake against Manchester City that comes to mind but otherwise was absolutely rock-solid. Now surely one of the top five center-backs in the world and certainly one of the most decorated in terms of trophies, he absolutely deserves the highest-possible marks.

Philipp Lahm: A+

Philipp Lahm’s 2014 calendar year may have been cut tragically short by a debilitating injury sustained in November, but not before cementing his legendary status by captaining Germany to victory at the World Cup. The 31-year-old  had an excellent 2014 calendar year all-round, whether for club or country, in defense and (mostly) in midfield. Had he been named a Ballon d’Or finalist, he certainly would have deserved it.

Lahm’s one fault was being entirely ineffective in stopping Real Madrid’s counterattacks during the Champions League semifinal, but to be fair, the Munich native was used out of his natural position and it was Pep Guardiola’s mistake in not noticing that his lack of pace and size would be problematic against Real’s very athletic forward line. When used at right-back for Germany at the World Cup, Lahm flourished once more. He’s a phenomenal player.

Juan Bernat: A

When Juan Bernat joined Bayern from Valencia over the summer, he looked to be a backup for David Alaba in the left-back position. However, the Spaniard would immediately take the Austrian’s role on the left of defense with Guardiola preferring to use Alaba in midfield instead.

Since his move, Bernat has proven himself again and again. He’s very adept with the ball at his feet and has the dribbling skill of a winger. Yet despite his diminutive stature, Bernat isn’t shy to make a challenge for the ball. He has limited ability with his right foot, but otherwise is a very complete player, one who has adapted to the big stage and a new football culture extremely fast.

Considering this, his young age and the fact that he cost a modest €10 million, the 21-year-old pips Alaba (who's set a much higher bar for himself) to a grade just behind Boateng and Lahm.

David Alaba: A-

The standard that David Alaba has set in previous years is extremely high. Some considered him even at 20 years of age to be the best left-back in the world, and since then his stock has continued to rise and rise. Despite being used in several positions especially in the second half of 2014, the Austrian has impressed and impressed.

With that having been said, Alaba has not quite been at the very top of his game as of late, perhaps due to his continued rotation from center-back to full-back to defensive midfield. He's arguably the best full-back in the Bundesliga, but he has been even better in his career (particularly going forward) and could still take a step up from where he's at now.

Rafinha: B+

After perpetually appearing to be the odd man out in 2013-14, Rafinha has enjoyed somewhat of a personal renaissance of form in the current campaign. He was rather inexplicably used at right-back throughout the previous season, looking to be the sole ordinary player in a starting XI that seemed to always consist of 10 other top-class footballers. And understandably, he struggled against Bayern's more elite opponents, particularly in the Champions League.

Rafinha barely missed a game in the fall, but this time looked worthy of the team. He wasn't the best full-back in the Bundesliga by a long shot, but he wasn't far off Bernat. Not bad for a player who was written off by Jupp Heynckes two seasons ago. However, his shortcomings in the spring see him rank lower than the likes of Alaba, Bernat, Lahm and Boateng.

Mehdi Benatia: B

In terms of transfer fee, Mehdi Benatia was Bayern's big-name move of the summer window. The Moroccan cost €26 million, coming from Roma as arguably the best defender in Serie A. Great expectations came with his move, and Benatia has already imposed himself on the Bayern team.

Although ostensibly first-choice (he started every Champions League game in which he was eligible to play) Benatia only made eight Bundesliga appearances in the first half of the Bundesliga season. That and the senseless sending off early in November's loss to Manchester City see his grade drop significantly.

Dante: B

Dante was a huge player for Bayern during their treble-winning 2012-13 campaign, but by now he seems to be losing his edge. The 31-year-old played in 14 Bundesliga games during the fall campaign (almost twice as many as Benatia), but the fact that he started just two Champions League fixtures is a clear sign that Pep Guardiola no longer sees him as the player he was.

With that having been said, Dante is still a more than functional player and a solid option at least from the bench. As long as his minutes are well-managed, he could remain a useful squad player in the long term. Just don't expect him to be the player he was in his first season in Munich.

Javi Martinez: B-

The 2014 calendar year was a disappointment for Javi Martinez, whose value according to Transfermarkt dropped from €37 million to €32 million by July before he tore an anterior cruciate ligament in Bayern’s competitive opener of the 2014-15 season. He’s been sidelined ever since.

Prior to his injury, Martinez was benched for two of three World Cup games for Spain. He played center-back in the third, a 2-0 loss to Chile that ended the title holders’ hopes of a repeat. At club level, Martinez had a so-so spring campaign, playing the in majority but not all of Bayern’s Bundesliga matches. He was sharper in the Bundesliga than in the Champions League, where his nature as more of a midfielder than a defender was exposed.

Holger Badstuber: N/A

Holger Badstuber deserves an A for effort after coming back from two cruciate ligament surgeries, but sadly did not play enough minutes to be assessed. He suffered another setback shortly after returning to action this fall and whether or not he will truly be able to play again at the highest level for an extended period of time remains to be seen.

Midfielders

Jon Super/Associated Press

Xabi Alonso: A

When Xabi Alonso joined Bayern in the summer, his move followed a season in which he played far fewer minutes for Real Madrid than in any season in recent memory and a World Cup campaign in which his Spain were humiliated in the group stage. Approaching 33 years of age, there were questions of how effective he could be. He’s since silenced the doubters.

Despite being needed for almost every minute of the first round, Alonso delivered remarkably consistent performances for Bayern. The only caveat is that toward the end of the calendar year he made some careless and costly misplaced passes, probably due to a lack of focus from fatigue. If his minutes are well managed, he can be a key player in the second round.

Franck Ribery: A-

Even at 31 years of age, Franck Ribery continues to be a huge contributor for Bayern. The veteran seemed to lose a bit of his edge in the spring after finishing second in Ballon d'Or voting, as he scored just three goals and gave a modest six assists. He missed the World Cup and the beginning of the 2014-15 campaign through injuries, but since returning has been excellent.

Ribery now is averaging a goal or assist every full game, an outstanding record for a player at any age and one that is all the more impressive considering his advancing years. He's not quite on the level of some of his teammates, though, due to his inability to influence Bayern's Champions League matches in the spring.

Sebastian Rode: A-

With each game, Sebastian Rode looks more and more like an inspired signing. A free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt, there were initially questions of what role he could possibly play in a star-studded Bayern midfield. But with Pep Guardiola's side having to cope with a lengthy list of injured stars, Rode was increasingly relied upon as the fall campaign wore on.

Rode isn't a flashy player, but he has heart and utmost dedication to his profession. He's a dogged defender, a good distributor and surprisingly effective in the attacking third: In 675 minutes of play, he scored two goals and assisted four more. Based on initial expectations, there's not much more that could be asked of Rode, who by now appears to have gained Guardiola's trust.

Mario Gotze: B+

Mario Gotze's career since moving to Bayern Munich has been defined by intense spurts of brilliance followed by long spells of mediocrity. He scored the winner in the World Cup final, something that every footballer dreams of, yet that came after he lost his spot in Germany's starting lineup and spent most of the tournament on the bench.

Similarly, in a spell of just over a month that spanned all of October, Gotze carried Bayern offensively. After the 12th round of the Bundesliga, however, he neither scored nor assisted a single goal in the German top flight.

On the whole, Gotze's return in 2014 was quite respectable: 18 goals and 10 assists for club and country. But he can do so much more. Perhaps as Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben reach the point of natural decline, he'll take on a more decisive role. Until then, there will be much left to be desired.

Bastian Schweinsteiger: B

The defining image of Bastian Schweinsteiger's 2014 and probably of his career to date was the hard-nosed midfielder, bloodied and bruised, smiling from ear to ear as he held the World Cup trophy. Although unfit and out of form heading into the tournament, the 30-year-old was a huge asset to his national team in Brazil, providing leadership above all that spurred his teammates on.

At Bayern, Schweinsteiger was less of a key player. He was injured for most of the fall campaign and in the spring was not exactly at his best. Maybe he was saving himself for the World Cup, maybe he wasn't in form due to his having spent so much time injured before. But despite not being a key player for Bayern, Schweinsteiger gets a good grade for his heroics in Brazil.

Xherdan Shaqiri: C

For Xherdan Shaqiri, the year 2014 will be remembered as the one that ended his career as a Bayern Munich player. Although abundantly talented, as he showed in his brilliant performances for Switzerland at the World Cup, the attacker struggled to make an impact at club level. He recorded four goals and two assists in the spring campaign and despite his good World Cup, only tallied two goals and as many assists in the fall.

Despite being fit to play, Shaqiri has largely been ignored by Pep Guardiola and looks set for an exit. He's a talented player and one who could be a major asset to the right club, but at the moment it looks as though that club is not Bayern.

Thiago Alcantara: N/A

The year 2014 will be one to forget for Thiago Alcantara, who suffered repeated knee injuries and only played (per Transfermarkt) 683 minutes in all competitions. The 23-year-old had worked hard to earn a full-time starting role after sustaining an injury shortly after his transfer to Munich in the summer of 2013. But after making significant progress, his contributions to club and country were cut short in March. Bayern fans will have to hope he returns a more robust player later in spring.

Gianluca Gaudino: N/A

Young midfielder Gianluca Gaudino emerged as a bright talent over the summer, impressing during the preseason to the point where he played even ahead of Pierre Hojbjerg at times. After a few run-outs early on in the campaign it was rare that the youngster was used, his diminutive stature and still-boyish level of strength clearly a hindrance to his chances of starting. He has great intelligence and skill with the ball, though, and could become a star once he reaches physical maturity.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: N/A

Pierre Hojbjerg is a big talent in midfield, but given that he has become a regular in the Danish national team while rarely playing for Bayern, the time for him to move on at least for a loan spell may be near. Hojbjerg was excellent at right-back in the DFB-Pokal final and in a few other games, but did not meet the cutoff for a grade.

Mitchell Weiser: N/A

If Mitchell Weiser didn’t think his Bayern career was over in May, he got confirmation in the summer when his number 23 shirt was given to Pepe Reina, and the 24 he was subsequently given was then awarded to Sinan Kurt after the forward joined from Gladbach. Weiser came to Munich a bright talent with big ambitions but is a forgotten man at Bayern. He rarely made the bench and only played a few times in 2014. Now as he approaches his 21st birthday, he’ll want to leave soon to try to salvage his professional career.

Forwards

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Thomas Muller: A

Thomas Muller had an excellent 2014 year, during which he continued to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis at club level and cemented his status as a World Cup legend. He wasn’t quite red-hot at the beginning of the year, but he exploded into form and won the silver ball and silver boot in Brazil as he was crowned a world champion.

Since then, he’s been a regular starter for Bayern and averaged a goal or assist almost every game (20 in 23 appearances), including in the Champions League. Impressive for the 25-year-old, who still has the prime years of his career ahead of him.

Arjen Robben: A

This year marked the year Arjen Robben turned 30 years old. But despite his advancing age, the Dutchman still managed to prove himself as world-class time and time again—for both club and country.

In all competitions for Bayern and the Netherlands, Robben played 55 games, scoring 26 goals and assisting 18 more. His goal decided the DFB-Pokal final, he was the bronze ball winner at the World Cup and has had a blistering start to the 2014-15 campaign. The one caveat that can be made with regard to his season is that he disappointed somewhat in the Champions League during the spring. But otherwise he was quite outstanding in 2014, particularly since the end of the last club season in May.

Claudio Pizarro: A-

In the spring, some may have wondered whether age would ever catch up to Claudio Pizarro. At 35 years, he managed to score in five of his final six Bundesliga appearances of the season, tallying seven goals and two assists. He even managed to play the final ball to set up Thomas Muller for the goal that ended any chance of Bayern missing out on the DFB-Pokal title in May.

Since then, however, Pizarro has passed the 36-year-old milestone and hardly played, an injury limiting him to about two-and-a-half games’ worth of minutes. Maybe he’ll make another triumphant return; we’ll see in the spring. But adjusting for expectations, he was one of Bayern’s very best players of 2014.

Robert Lewandowski: B-

Robert Lewandowski has been a bit of a disappointment since joining Bayern in the summer. He’s scored 10 goals and given seven assists in 24 games, a good record, but there still is much more that he can do. His rate of involvement in goals is down relative to the previous three seasons, and more importantly, the significance of his contribution is lesser.

Lewandowski was a leader at Dortmund, the player who could be counted upon to open the scoring and ease the burden from the shoulders of his teammates. He’s occasionally done that at Bayern, but too often his involvement is rather lacking before a teammate makes the necessary breakthrough. It’s not that the Poland international has had a particularly poor season thus far, but based on his previous highs, it’s clear there is much more he can do.

Sinan Kurt: N/A

Since moving to Bayern in the summer, Sinan Kurt has struggled to make a name for himself. The 18-year-old was initially placed in the club’s reserves before being demoted to the under-19s, a level that in the south-southwest region is far less competitive than it was when he played in the west at Gladbach.

Kurt has managed to impress on occasion, but his goals have been sporadic and five out of his total of six have come from leading positions. The 18-year-old may soon be promoted to the reserves but has a very long way to go if he is ever to play for the first team.