What Is Bayern Munich's Strongest Midfield Right Now?

Over the past few years, Bayern Munich has changed from a club with a range of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards to one primarily comprised of central midfielders with a few specialists.

Following Dante's sale, the German giants are down to just three natural center-backs: Jerome Boateng, Mehdi Benatia and Holger Badstuber. Three of their four options at full-back have played in midfield in the past—Juan Bernat being the exception—with Philipp Lahm and David Alaba being regularly used in the center of the pitch as recently last season. And following the departure of Claudio Pizarro, Bayern have only one natural striker in Robert Lewandowski.

Pep Guardiola's footballing philosophy calls for more complete players than specialists, and although his legion of midfielders is quite diverse in terms of skills—compare Alaba, Javi Martinez, Xabi Alonso and Thiago Alcantara, for example—almost every member of his squad is more than comfortable fulfilling at least a few key duties on the pitch. With such a wealth of options available for selection, the question naturally arises, what truly is Bayern's strongest midfield combination?

In order to compare the different options, it's first important to clarify exactly how Bayern will line up tactically. Guardiola has, in the past, often operated with a three-man defense. This season, however, he's been rather consistent in playing four at the back. Additionally, Rafinha and Juan Bernat at full-back appear to have been replaced by Lahm and Alaba, who will be omitted from consideration in midfield accordingly.

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With four at the back and an apparent policy of using three pure forwards, there is room in midfield for three players.

One player who is a lock is Arturo Vidal, who has changed the entire dynamic of the Bayern midfield since his arrival this summer. He's played every minute of every Bundesliga game thus far and is sure to be relied upon in all the big games this season. This is partly due to his class but, critically, is also a result of his versatility. Vidal can be extremely effective regardless of which other players line up alongside him.

When partnered with more skilful ball-players such as Thiago Alcantara and Xabi Alonso, Vidal can act more as a runner and ball-winner, distributing the ball less and playing a role with more emphasis on tactical positioning and defensive duties.

When paired with more defensive types, such as Martinez and perhaps Joshua Kimmich, Vidal is comfortable taking on more responsibilities with the ball at his feet. He's proved in the past he can be the main distributor of the ball, making the most touches and delivering the most passes and can do so from deep areas, as well as higher up the pitch.

The second player who is more or less a lock in the Bayern midfield is Thiago, whose long-term value to the club was recently confirmed when he agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the Allianz Arena until 2019. The Spaniard may lack some of Vidal's versatility, but he is still capable of taking on many roles on the pitch. He has an astute tactical mind and is a marvelous distributor of the ball over short and long distances from a regista position, as well as in the attacking third in a more creative role.

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Thiago has excellent ball control and can dribble well, making him something of a hybrid, capable of playing as a No. 10 in addition to positions deeper in the midfield. By comparison, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller can't play so well in deep parts of midfield, while Alonso lacks the agility, touch and creativity for an advanced position. Thiago brings the best of both worlds.

What Thiago lacks in defensive traits, Vidal can more than make up for with his world-class ball-winning ability. They make for a brilliant combination.

The third and final midfield position is less clear-cut and depends on tactics and opposition. In bigger games, against tougher opponents, it may be best to put Martinez in the midfield for defensive duties, primarily for marking an opposing attacking midfielder and winning the ball in the air both from set pieces and long clearances. In such a situation, Thiago would be the primary link between midfield and the front three and Vidal would play between the lines, the engine to transition the ball from deep areas to the attack.

Most games don't require as defensive a presence as would exist with Martinez, Vidal and Thiago in midfield, however, and two alternatives are to replace Martinez with either Alonso or Thomas Muller.

Using Alonso leaves Bayern with three top-quality passers in midfield. The veteran is superlative over long distances and is therefore very useful for switching the play to the flanks and springing the counterattack, also freeing Vidal and Thiago to advance higher up the pitch. The main downside in this regard is Alonso's limited defensive qualities, although having Vidal nearby is certainly helpful.

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If Muller is used as the third midfielder, his role is essentially as an auxiliary forward and not so much as a connected part of a midfield trio. Guardiola used him with Vidal and Thiago behind a front three of Douglas Costa, Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben in a recent match against Leverkusen, and Bayern ran riot in a 3-0 win.

Muller is the most industrious of the four forwards and benefits in a role in which he plays behind his fellow attackers, spotting the gaps to run into as he does so brilliantly. For these reasons, he's the right pick to play a bit deeper than the front three, yet despite his positioning, he is just as capable of scoring as the others.

By limiting the true central midfield force to just Thiago and Vidal, Bayern would be able to use four attacking players and avoid benching one of Robben, Lewandowski, Muller, and Costa.

Using Muller just behind the front three requires Thiago to play deeper, which isn't exactly his best role. Still, with the aggression and athleticism of Alaba, Boateng, Benatia and Vidal nearby, it's unlikely the Spaniard would be physically overwhelmed. And in such a role, Thiago is still able to move into the attack as necessary. Vidal, meanwhile, can take on a screening, defensive role in the team.

At least in the usual, everyday matches, a central trio of Muller, Vidal and Thiago is probably the best bet for Bayern. There will be injuries and suspensions to deal with, and players will come into and move out of form as the season progresses. Thus, having several options is extremely important and being able to tweak tactics and roles to suit the opposition is especially vital. At present, though, it seems we'll be seeing a Thiago-Vidal-Muller midfield, and that is a fearsome combination indeed.

@Mr_Bundesliga