Bayern Munich: Full Report Card for Every Position for September
Bayern Munich wrapped up the month of September with an unconvincing 1-0 win away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.
The victory over the Russian side mirrored Bayern's form of late, which has been somewhat peculiar and far from excellent. Despite this, Pep Guardiola's team keep winning games.
However, with a number of injuries to important members of the squad, we can forgive the Catalan coach for reshuffling his team around from one week to the next if it ensures a simple three points in the bag.
Bayern may not look like their best at the moment, but they are top of the Bundesliga with six points out of six from their tough Champions League group.
Here's how each position fared in September.
Goalkeeper: A
1 of 8
As ever, Bayern have gone into September with a clean bill of health between the posts as Manuel Neuer continues his stellar run of form for the Bavarian side.
Widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world, Neuer needs little help or encouragement from one game to the next, pulling off fantastic saves and leading his side from his usual sweeping role 10 feet in front of his box.
With the excellent Pepe Reina in reserve should anything happen, Bayern are quite possibly the best stocked at the position in the world.
Right-Back: B
2 of 8
One positive consequence of Guardiola's new formation is the fact that we sometimes get to see Philipp Lahm back in his old position of right-back.
Although the club captain looks perfectly happy in midfield, the team as a whole certainly looks more balanced when he's back alongside the rest of Bayern's fragile defence.
In a reverse situation, we've seen defensive midfielder Sebastian Rode feature as a full-back on occasion to great effect. The 23-year-old is a model professional and, as expected, has took to the role with relative ease.
Left-Back: A
3 of 8
Bayern are well prepared for all scenarios at left-back, with 22-year-old David Alaba continuing to surge forward as one of the best full-backs in European football today.
Although one can never quite tell when Guardiola's defence is coming or going, Alaba is often completely solid on the left side of whatever formation the back line is playing that day.
The Bundesliga champions also have Juan Bernat in reserve, who has at times moved to left-back when the Austrian international is either playing as a central defender or in midfield.
Centre-Back: C-
4 of 8
Despite regularly playing with as many as three central defenders in his hybrid 3-5-2 formation, Guardiola's squad is a little light in genuine centre-backs at the moment.
As we've seen in previous games this month, Bayern have regularly shuffled their defensive line, allowing players such as David Alaba and Rafinha to play the role, with regulars such as Dante often looking far from convincing.
Miraculously, the club didn't concede a single goal over the course of the month, but this centre-back problem will need a quick solution.
Central Midfield: B+
5 of 8
Bayern's central midfield is an odd one to call at the moment. With the arrival of Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso, the void left by Toni Kroos is temporary filled, and the Spanish international has certainly helped fans get over Bastian Schweinsteiger's persistent injury problems.
However, when it comes to midfield, Guardiola's squad have been running on fumes throughout September, with Alonso often being partnered by either David Alaba or Phillip Lahm to shore things up.
The coach may not be too worried about things at the moment, but for the sake of the entire squad, Bayern desperately need Thiago Alcantara and Schweinsteiger back as soon as possible.
Left Wing: A
6 of 8
Another key player who has been desperately missed this season is left-winger Franck Ribery; the French playmaker is still considered among the best in the world at the position.
As Bayern impatiently await his return from a serious back injury, Guardiola has turned to Mario Gotze and left-back Bernat to play in the advanced left position of his alternating formations.
The young Spaniard has done well on occasions, keeping the team's width and hugging the touchline. Yet, at only 21 years of age, we can't expect Bernat to replace Ribery overnight.
Gotze, on the other hand, has been in a rich vein of form this month, notching a number of important goals and assists in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Although the young Germany international may be cut inside where Ribery would stay out wide, he has finally found a role at Bayern after a long spell on the bench. When the Frenchman returns, it'll be Gotze who he'll be in contention with.
Right Wing: B
7 of 8
September saw the return of Arjen Robben and the expertise the Dutchman so readily provides on the right side of Bayern's attack.
Where Bayern had to contend with the likes of Rafinha as a wide midfielder at the start of the season, the side now have the raw pace and technique that make them so hard to beat.
Although Robben wasn't quite back to his best in September, registering only one assist since he returned to the side, according to Transfermarkt, his absence was duly noted. As such, Guardiola will be glad to see him back running at defenders each week.
Striker: D
8 of 8
Bayern have rarely been a side that have struggled to score goals under Guardiola's reign, yet this season has seen new striker Robert Lewandowski stumble through games and regularly fail to hit the target.
In four starts for Bayern this month, the Polish international has only managed to net a solitary goal, per Transfermarkt. Guardiola even opted to start Claudio Pizarro instead of Lewandowski against Hamburg in September.
Fortunately, Thomas Muller and his compatriot Mario Gotze, have picked up the slack and regularly been scoring goals from midfield positions in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Still, things don't look great for Bayern's only quality striker.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
