Ranking and Grading the Bayern Munich Players on Champions League Performances

Bayern Munich have managed to maintain an impressive 100 percent record in the Champions League this season with famous wins over Manchester City, CSKA Moscow and AS Roma in Group E.

Pep Guardiola’s team are undoubtedly one of the strongest sides in Europe this season and have put on a number of notable performances thus far.

As such, it seems only fair that we go through this star-studded squad and decipher just which players have performed to the best of their abilities and allowed the German champions to pull away from such a tough group.

Disclaimer: Bayern’s squad is full of incredible depth. Therefore, we have limited the grading and tracking to members of the squad who have played over 30 minutes across the three games so far. We’re sorry, Xherdan Shaqiri, Franck Ribery and Claudio Pizarro, but coming on with five minutes to go just doesn’t cut it right now. 

Defence

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Manuel Neuer – A

Perhaps best regarded as a central defender considering the manner in which he tends to sweep up the defence, Manuel Neuer has been the linchpin of Bayern’s defensive efforts this season.

Considered one of the best in the world, the German goalkeeper has been truly outstanding in each of Bayern’s three European ties so far.

Juan Bernat – A

Although also playing as a midfielder of sorts throughout the season, Juan Bernat has taken to Bayern like a duck to water and has thrived in the Champions League this season.

Often played as a left-sided wing-back, Bernat has looked solid going forward as well as in defence—and he's still so young!

David Alaba – A

Playing in his new position as a centre-back in a Franz Beckenbauer role of sorts, David Alaba has thrived.

Regarded by Guardiola as an attacking player who can start plays from deep, he has added a new dimension to Bayern’s defense and attack.

Jerome Boateng – B

Jerome Boateng will be remembered for his last-minute volley against Manchester City earlier in the campaign, but the German central defender has continued his fine form for the club in Europe this season.

Although suspect at times against the pace of Gervinho in Rome on Tuesday, Boateng is still the best central defender at Bayern.

Mehdi Benatia – B-

Despite recently signing for Bayern, Mehdi Benatia has actually found himself featuring quite heavily in each of the club’s three Champions League ties.

The former Roma player has still to convince that he’s a serious, long-term solution for the Bavarian defence, but he hasn’t done poorly at all.

Dante – C

The demise of Brazilian central defender Dante has continued this season with just one appearance in the Champions League for Bayern.

Unfortunately, this came against CSKA Moscow, and their pacey forward, Ahmed Musa, tormented the defender throughout the 90 minutes.

Midfield

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Xabi Alonso – A

The newly appointed midfield general has been in terrific form since arriving from Real Madrid, slotting into the holding midfield role and commanding the attention of Bayern’s side in each European tie.

Often filling in as a makeshift centre back, Alonso has been vital to Guardiola’s plans this season.

Mario Gotze – A

Although technically a forward for Bayern these days, if not a full-blown striker at times, Mario Gotze has looked fantastic throughout the season and especially in the Champions League from midfield.

He may have only picked up one goal in three games so far, but don’t let that fool you. Gotze is easily one of Bayern’s best attacking players.

Philipp Lahm – A

The Bayern captain has once again kept his spot in midfield this season, as Guardiola continues to experiment with a defensive back three. While Bastian Schweinsteiger continues to sit on the sidelines with injury, Lahm has done well to take up his role as Bayern’s box-to-box midfielder.

Rafinha – C

The Brazilian has found a new lease of life since Guardiola arrived in Munich, now finding himself as the go-to full-back and wing-back of choice whenever needed.

As such, Rafinha has featured in each of Bayern’s games in the Champions League with minimal fuss. 

Attack

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Arjen Robben – A

It wouldn’t be too farfetched to suggest that Arjen Robben has been Bayern’s best forward this season.

The difference in Guardiola’s side with and without the Dutchman is as clear as night and day, and as we saw against Roma, he has the quality to demolish some of Europe’s toughest sides.

Thomas Muller – B

The irregular star of this Bayern side has had a rather bumpy start to the European campaign, with a dismissive performance against Manchester City followed by a below-par match against CSKA Moscow.

The German international made up for it with a goal and an assist against Roma, but he still has plenty to offer in this season’s Champions League.

Robert Lewandowski – B

In a similar sense to Muller, we’ve seen very little from Robert Lewandowski to suggest he’s been playing at his best in Europe this season.

Although he has regained some of his form for the club in the Bundesliga of late, we need to see more from the talisman in the Champions League this year. One goal in three games simply isn’t enough.