Bayern Munich: Full Report Card for Every Position for November

The month of November was a very positive one overall for Bayern Munich, who secured top spot in their Champions League group and extended their lead in the Bundesliga table so far that it's hard to see any possibility of them failing to win their third consecutive league title.

Individually, Bayern's squad players have had mixed fortunes. Some have emerged in a big way while others have had the occasional lapse in judgment or the misfortune of being injured. With November coming to a close, B/R takes a look at each of Bayern's first-team players, assessing their performances over the course of the month.

Appraised by position, players are ranked in descending order based on their grade (A being the highest, F the lowest), which is only determined for players who featured for 180 minutes or more across the six games Bayern played in November.

Without further ado, click "Begin Slideshow" for Bayern Munich's November report card, beginning with the goalkeepers.

Goalkeepers

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Manuel Neuer: A

Another month has passed and Manuel Neuer has played six more excellent games for Bayern, further cementing his case for the Ballon d'Or. The 28-year-old is not called into action often, but when needed, he has come up aces. And he's developed a real knack for showboating in front of his goal.

Pepe Reina and Tom Starke: N/A

Both Pepe Reina and Tom Starke were injured throughout November and did not play.

Defenders

Jon Super/Associated Press

Philipp Lahm: A-

Captain Philipp Lahm's November came to an unfortunate and early end during the international break, when he suffered a fracture in his ankle. Before that, the 31-year-old had led his team to wins over Borussia Dortmund, Roma and Eintracht Frankfurt with only one goal conceded. Although off the level of his masterclasses against Roma and Werder Bremen last month, Lahm was his usual, reliable self in the Bayern midfield.

Jerome Boateng: B+

Jerome Boateng had a solid November overall, his World Cup form continuing as the season has progressed. The 26-year-old not only performed his duties at the back, he excelled. However, his regrettable error that gifted Sergio Aguero a winner for Manchester City in the Champions League has resulted in his grade taking a hit.

Dante: B+

Now 31 years of age and facing more competition than ever before, Dante appears to be in the midst of being phased out of the Bayern team. But the Brazilian has recently shown that he is not ready to fade into obscurity. He came on as an early substitute against Manchester City and played very well.

Rafinha: B+

Once a squad player, Rafinha is a constant starter for Bayern now and had a November that justified his continued use. The Brazilian was at his best in the Champions League, a sign of the maturity he's developed.

Juan Bernat: B

Juan Bernat didn't miss a single minute of action in November, the Spaniard continuing to impress Pep Guardiola with his consistent performances. The ex-Valencia man didn't particularly stand out, though, and was one of the least remarkable players in the Bayern team. As he showed last season, he can do more.

Mehdi Benatia: B

Boateng and Mehdi Benatia have developed an outstanding partnership this fall—one of Europe's best. But the duo's reputation took a big hit late in the month when the Morocco international was sent off for a foolish tackle on Sergio Aguero, which left his side both a man and a goal down on their way to defeat to Manchester City. Benatia will recover, and though his one moment of madness did not erase all the good work he did in November, his mark suffers as a result.

David Alaba, Holger Badstuber and Javi Martinez: N/A

David Alaba's injury came at the very beginning of November, the Austrian having played a part in just the first two matches of the month. Holger Badstuber and Javi Martinez were injured throughout November and did not play.

Midfielders

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Franck Ribery: A-

Age seems to have not yet caught up to Franck Ribery, who, at 31 years old, continues to deliver on a regular basis. The Bayern team relies upon him less now than in previous years, but the Frenchman still had a solid November, scoring once and providing four assists despite his minutes being somewhat limited.

Mario Gotze: A-

After an outstanding October, Mario Gotze's form cooled off a bit in November. However, the 22-year-old managed to score in Bayern's Champions League fixture against Roma and found the net with a wonder goal against Hoffenheim. Gotze appears to have successfully defended his starting role following the return of Franck Ribery—a critical step in his career.

Xabi Alonso: B+

Xabi Alonso may have turned 33 last Tuesday, but the veteran continues to deliver on a regular basis. He looked a bit troubled against Dortmund's pressing game, though, and made a costly mistake against Manchester City. As such, he ranks a step below Gotze and Ribery.

Thiago Alcantara, Gianluca Gaudino, Pierre Hojbjerg Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sebastian Rode and Xherdan Shaqiri: N/A

Thiago Alcantara and Gianluca Gaudino missed the entire month of November, the former being injured and the latter wasn't selected to the first team. Pierre Hojbjerg played the full 90 minutes against Manchester City, but aside from two minutes against Roma, that was his only use.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was injured for much of the month and, despite making his comeback, did not play enough to be assessed. Sebastian Rode played an increasing role as the month wore on but did not cross the 180-minute barrier. Xherdan Shaqiri played on occasion but hardly had a chance; he looks set to leave the club in January.

Forwards

Jon Super/Associated Press

Arjen Robben: A

Arjen Robben kept up his fine form for Bayern in November, scoring five goals and assisting another in six Bundesliga and Champions League games. The Dutchman has been on fire since returning from World Cup duty and is decidedly his club's most consistent and deadly attacker at present.

Robert Lewandowski: B+

After a shaky start to his Bayern career, Robert Lewandowski found his scoring boots in November. He scored against former club Dortmund, as well as against Hoffenheim and Manchester City during the month. A goal every other game is a very respectable return at this stage, and his hold-up and passing game should not be underrated, but there's still a higher level he can reach.

Thomas Muller: B+

November was a difficult month for Thomas Muller, who was benched throughout both of Bayern's Champions League games and only played a full 90 minutes on one occasion. In the match in which he went the distance, the 25-year-old scored a hat-trick. Otherwise, though, he struggled to make a decisive impact in the attacking third.

Claudio Pizarro: N/A

Claudio Pizarro was injured throughout November and did not play.