Ranking and Grading Bayern Munich Players on UCL Group-Stage Performances

Bayern Munich concluded another successful Champions League group stage on Wednesday night with a confident 3-0 win over CSKA Moscow. 

The Bavarian side never really looked out of control against the best Group E could offer and ultimately finished the round of games with plenty to spare, as they sat atop of the group with seven points separating them and Manchester City in second place. 

Tougher opponents may await Pep Guardiola's side in the forthcoming rounds of Europe's top competition, yet for now, his squad can sit back and applaud a well-earned, first-place finish in the group.

Here is how each of Bayern's players performed in the Champions League so far.

Note: All stats used in this article via WhoScored.com. Some players have been omitted from the ranking and grading due to not reaching 90 minutes of game time over the course of the round. 

Defence

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Manuel Neuer - A+

Everpresent in this Bayern side throughout the Champions League this season, Manuel Neuer has continued his habit of walking through most games with ease. The German goalkeeper has been called into making some exceptional saves, but he has yet to be truly tested in the competition so far. 

David Alaba - A

Although the left-back has missed the last two games in the Champions League through injury, David Alaba has been exceptional either in defence or in midfield when fit and able to play. 

The Austrian international has truly blossomed into one of the best players at Bayern this season, and that is more than evident from his performances against Manchester City and Roma in the group-stage games.

Bernat - A-

In Alaba’s wake, Bayern have turned to new signing Juan Bernat to shore up the left-back position and offer the same physicality and sheer skill from the left side of the field. 

Fortunately for the Bavarian club, in Bernat, they clearly have one of the best young full-backs in the game. The Spaniard has thrived since moving to Munich and continues to get better and better with each passing game. 

Jerome Boateng - B+

Now well regarded as Guardiola’s defender-in-chief, Jerome Boating has played in all but one of Bayern’s Champions League games this season and has looked at his best—whoever the opposition. 

The German centre-back has come a long way since his days in Manchester and can now be regarded as one of the best central defenders in Europe today. 

Rafinha - C+

Perhaps best described as Guardiola’s handyman, Rafinha has found himself playing a number of positions in the Champions League this season. He's not the best right-back or midfielder at the club, but this Brazilian has put in the effort whenever asked.

Mehdi Benatia - C-

Mehdi Benatia has actually looked the part in the Champions League this season. At least right up until he got himself sent off against City and therefore banned from the concluding game of the group. 

He's a strong defender with plenty of time to settle in at Munich, but he's not quite up to the standard set by Boating or Alaba quite yet. 

Dante - D

As Bayern’s back-up centre-back, Dante has actually had a fair run in the Champions League this season and for the most part done a decent job in defence.

The Brazilian isn’t quite what he used to be, but he still has plenty of experience and talent to get him through all but the toughest games. 

Midfield

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Mario Gotze - A

With three goals and an assist in just five games for Bayern in the Champions League this season, few in European football right now can argue that they’re doing a better job than Mario Gotze. As a natural understudy to Franck Ribery, this German star has long since took to first-team responsibilities and has thrived under the pressure. 

Xabi Alonso - B+

Presumably rested in the final group game for domestic work in the Bundesliga this weekend, Xabi Alonso still sits with a “B+” due to regular, outstanding performances in Bayern’s midfield throughout the competition. Only that horrid back pass against City keeps him from earning an "A."

Philipp Lahm - B

Still arguably the main reason Bayern lost their return leg against City a few weeks ago, Philipp Lahm’s injury has truly shaken this squad and has forced Guardiola to continuously alter his plans in midfield. Despite that, the club captain looked like his usual dependable self before picking up the long-term injury. 

Bastian Schweinsteiger - B

With a man-of-the-match performance in the concluding match against CSKA Moscow, Bastian Schweinsteiger returned to dominating the Bayern midfielder with relative ease. Although it was his only full 90 minutes of the campaign so far, the German international looked back to his old self. 

Sebastian Rode - C

With a number of injuries in midfield and defence, Sebastian Rode has found himself picking up more and more game time in Europe this season. The former Eintracht Frankfurt star has played in midfield and at right-back and looked perfectly capable of doing a job for his new club. 

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - C

Like Rode, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has come into this side of late and performed to a capable degree in place of more experienced members of the squad. He was far from his best against City in his first start in the Champions League this season, but the midfielder regained his composure and confidence against CSKA Moscow in the following game. 

Attack

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Arjen Robben - A 

Often rested until absolutely needed in the Champions League—with only three starts and two substitute appearances in six games—Arjen Robben has wasted little time with two goals and an assist in just 321 minutes of European football. 

Franck Ribery - A-

Slowly but surely Ribery is returning to the form that once had him considered among the best in the world. Well regarded as one of Bayern’s most dangerous players, the Frenchman has already picked up two Champions League goals despite his limited appearances. 

Robert Lewandowski - B+

Three goals from five-and-a-half games isn’t a bad return for any striker in the Champions League, yet for one who has so readily dominated the competition in the past, one could expect a little more from Robert Lewandowski. Fine but just not great. 

Thomas Muller - B 

The German forward has struggled to nail down some consistent form in Europe this season—in part due to the constant changes in formation and tactics on Guardiola’s part—yet he has still managed to pick up three goals and an assist in just four games. All in quite typical Thomas Muller fashion.