Ranking, Grading Bayern Munich Players on Champions League Performances so Far

Bayern Munich will still have the sour taste of defeat in their mouths following Tuesday's defeat to Manchester City, yet the Bavarian club have done plenty worth noting in this season's Champions League. 

Although the competition is still in its infancy, as we conclude another round of group-stage matches, Pep Guardiola's side already look like potential favourites for the coveted trophy. 

The Bundesliga champions are well equipped, with star players in every position, yet as we saw this week, we often find some individuals failing to make the grade when called upon. 

Here are how Bayern's players have done in Europe's top club competition thus far. 

All stats used and quoted in this article came from WhoScored.com.

Some players within Bayern's squad have been excluded from this list due to their lack of any real use throughout the campaign. 

Defence

Jon Super/Associated Press

Manuel Neuer - A

Bayern and Gemany's top goalkeeper has been at his very best throughout this Champions League campaign, despite often finding himself with very little to do. Manuel Neuer may have conceded three goals this week, but some of his saves against the likes of AS Roma and CSKA Moscow were outstanding.

David Alaba - A

We're not really sure what to call David Alaba anymore. He has certainly started in defence throughout the Champions League this season, but as we've seen at home in the Bundesliga and across Europe, he tends to play more like a box-to-box midfielder. Out injured for the time being, he's been a star at the back (or in the midfield) whenever he has played. 

Bernat - A

Now played as something of a defensive winger or a traditional wing-back, Spanish international Juan Bernat has lit up the Champions League in Bavarian colours in a similar fashion to his performances back in the Bundesliga. Alaba-esque in his excellence in defence and attack, Bernat has quickly defined himself as an absolute must in each game. 

Jerome Boateng - B+

As expected of the former Manchester City full-back these days, Jerome Boateng has been the shining example and yardstick to compare all other central defenders with at the club these days. Guardiola's new back-three system may look far from convincing, but the German defender has done his best to keep things tight at the back. 

Rafinha - C+

Like Alaba, Rafinha is one of those players who does look like a defender on paper but tends to find himself in midfield performing all sorts of tasks for his manager; however, the Brazilian full-back has proven himself as a useful handyman for Guardiola whenever called upon. 

Mehdi Benatia - C-

Everpresent in Guardiola's side over the first five games of this tournament, Mehdi Benatia would be pushing for a top grade if he hadn't gotten himself sent off against City earlier in the week. The former Roma defender was solid against his former club but did show concern against CSKA's Ahmed Musa as his side crawled past their Russian opponents. 

Dante - D

Now resigned to playing back-up to the likes of Boateng and Benatia, Dante has struggled to regain the composure and form that made him such a star in his first season at the club. Now, apparently devoid of all pace, the Brazilian has struggled against the best that Europe can offer and certainly doesn't seem up to the task of holding down a first-team place in this competition.

Midfield

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

Mario Gotze - A

Long gone are the days of shy, quiet Mario Gotze drifting through games for Bayern, looking out of sorts under the pressure of his new club. Now, we have a young, determined, World Cup-winning playmaker who has grabbed this side by the horns and made it his own. Gotze currently has two goals and one assist in just four games and looks better after every game. 

Xabi Alonso - B+

The only notable problem with Xabi Alonso's performances in the Champions League to date come from that back pass against City this week, proving that on the whole, the Spaniard has been excellent since arriving in Munich. He has quickly become a must-have for the first team. 

Philipp Lahm - B

Philipp Lahm was one of the most notable differences between Bayern's unbeaten run in the Champions League and their timely defeat on Tuesday. Although the club captain hasn't exactly been outstanding lately, his usual tinkering in midfield has proven necessary at this level of competition. 

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - D

It would seem harsh to critique Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for a game that technically should count as little more than a bounce match for this Bayern side. Yet, the young Dane is an excellent prospect and could have done better against City. We await to see how or if he can prove himself at this club in the coming months. 

Attack

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Arjen Robben - A 

Now well regarded as one of the best wingers in world football at the moment, Arjen Robben has wasted little time picking up points across Europe's finest clubs. The Dutchman current stands on two goals and one assist in four appearances and should expect more throughout the competition. 

Franck Ribery - A

Although Franck Ribery has only made three appearances for Bayern in the Champions League this season, he already has two goals to his name and has quickly shot back up Guardiola's list of reliable forwards. The Frenchman looks set for his return and to continue dominating in one of his most favoured competitions.

Thomas Muller - B 

Thomas Muller doesn't exactly benefit from Guardiola's constantly changing formations and tactics. Often played as a striker, winger or even a traditional No. 10, the German forward has struggled for form in the Champions League and a regular, consistent spot in this side. 

Robert Lewandowski - B-

This Polish striker has had an odd time in the Champions League this season. Two goals in five games isn't exactly great for a striker of his quality, and when we consider one came in the 7-1 drubbing of Roma, it suggests he has a lot more work to do to impress at this level.  

Xherdan Shaqiri - D

It would be easy to excuse Xherdan Shaqiri and suggest he simply doesn't get enough time at Bayern to show his worth, yet the Swiss international played a full half-hour against CSKA and Roma and offered very little.