Bayern Munich's Champions League Squad Has Class and Depth to Go All the Way

Bayern Munich registered their full squad of players for the Champions League late Tuesday night, and the squad sheet of eligible players contains players across the age spectrum with one thing in common: true class.

There were younger players like Joshua Kimmich, 20 years of age and still yet to make his debut in Europe's elite club tournament, yet a European Champion at the under-19 level. And there were seasoned veterans like Xabi Alonso, 33 and with two Champions League trophies under his belt.

The squad Pep Guardiola announced included seven World Cup winners, a European Champion and a Copa America winner, among dozens of other accolades. After a successful summer transfer window that saw the likes of younger players like Kimmich and Kingsley Coman join more experienced stars like Douglas Costa and Arturo Vidal in making their way to the Allianz Arena, Bayern's squad is absolutely stacked with quality. They could indeed go all the way and win the tournament once more.

Since winning the Champions League in 2013, Bayern have experienced tremendous highs and dismal lows on the international stage, with injuries, tactical mistakes and an apparent lack of desire being the primary culprits that ultimately led to their exits.

The squad is much fitter this year, and Guardiola has put a good foot forward in terms of modifying his tactics towards pragmatism. The last factor, of desire and energy, has largely been fixed by the additions of Vidal and Costa, who have been simply brilliant since day one.

Vidal fully deserves his reputation as a "warrior," his live-wire effect seeming to bring Bayern's entire midfield game together. When Alonso, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger played together as Guardiola's midfield trio, the game was too slow. When two of the aforementioned joined forces with Thiago, the pace picked up, but there was still a lack of a combative, quick, pure ball-winner.

Vidal has proven to be the missing link that Bayern needed. His anticipation, reflexes, aggression, strength and tackling technique make him a brilliant challenger for the ball, but he also is excellent in possession both in the build-up and in the final third. The Chilean was within inches of winning the Champions League last season, and having had a sniff at it, he looks to be starving for the trophy. A player of his mentality, aged 28 and without a Champions League trophy will be supremely motivated and can be expected to give everything. Just ask Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Costa has also brought enormous amounts of energy to the Bayern attack, his sheer pace leaving defenders gasping for breath in his wake. The Brazilian is an excellent dribbler, and his hunger to prove himself is evident in every game. He's developed remarkably since he faced Bayern as a Shakhtar player earlier this year, and much of that development has been the result of hard work.

Some struggle to cope with pressure in challenging situations and skirt away from responsibility. Costa is an altogether different type; he embraces the challenge at hand and attacks it full-force. He's already making Franck Ribery look a distant memory.

One could write books about the impact Costa and Vidal have already had at Bayern, but it should not be underestimated that many other superstars have special reason to be motivated. Robert Lewandowski may be the best striker in football today not to have won a Champions League trophy, and his performance against Barcelona in the spring was dripping with emotion. He did all he could, at least, and looks ready for another serious run.

Captain Philipp Lahm has no more glory to look forward to as a Germany player, and as he enters the latter stages of his career, will be especially motivated to make one more serious push as a key member of the squad. The same goes for Arjen Robben, who knows very well what could await in one year's time: He saw Ribery, just under a year his senior, turn from seemingly irreplaceable to near-squad player status in a span of months. With Coman his understudy, the Dutchman will be extra-motivated. So will Coman, who's seen that a newcomer without the most outstanding of resumes can indeed prove himself at Bayern.

Above all, a key motivating factor is that Guardiola is in his last season under contract at Bayern, and many players will aim to try to give him at least a grand finale and perhaps convince him to prolong his stay. The trainer is generally loved by his players, and they'll want to do well by him.

With all things considered, this could well be the year for Bayern. They have enormous talent available and in huge quantities, and their squad is generally quite fit. And critically, the timing seems just right when considering where the likes of Costa, Vidal, Robben, Lahm and more are in their respective careers. At Bayern, the pieces are in place; we'll see next spring whether they can live up to their potential.

@Mr_Bundesliga