Ranking Bayern Munich's Top 5 Players for October

October had its valleys and peaks for Bayern Munich, who won their 1,000th Bundesliga game and developed a commanding lead in the league table while earning some outstanding victories over clubs such as second-placed Borussia Dortmund and DFB-Pokal holders Wolfsburg.

At the same time, Bayern also suffered their first defeat of the campaign against Arsenal and ended the month with a scoreless draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Overall, Bayern still looked to be world football's most in-form club, if slightly more worldly than they had looked in August and September.

B/R takes a look back at the players who stood out for Bayern in October, picking out the top-five performers in all club competitions.

Click "Begin Slideshow" to commence the countdown, starting with No. 5.

5. Thiago Alcantara

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Thiago Alcantara had a brilliant spell of form not long ago, providing a hat-trick of assists in the UEFA Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb at the end of September and adding three more in his first two Bundesliga games of October.

The creative dribbler and playmaker has since been used only sparingly in the German top flight, coming on as a second-half substitute against Cologne and Frankfurt. Still, his performances against Dortmund and Werder Bremen were first-rate, and his introduction during Friday's draw corresponded with Bayern making their best push toward a winner, as the Spain international pulled the strings in midfield.

If he's given more playing time in November, Thiago could be Bayern's player of the month.

4. Kingsley Coman

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Throughout August and for much of September, Douglas Costa stole the headlines at Bayern. The newly signed winger had, it seemed, replaced Franck Ribery before the injured veteran had even been linked with a departure from Munich.

Few were expecting Kingsley Coman to contend for a starting role, yet the 19-year-old exploded into form in October, even though he's had to deal with muscular problems. It's not just that Coman was credited with assisting two goals, he was a constant spark in the Bayern attack when he played and showed incredible instincts for a player of his age. On either flank, he knew just what to do and exploded past opponents time and again to deliver balls into the penalty box.

Just as Costa appears to have taken the torch from Ribery at Bayern, it seems it's just a matter of time before Coman will also take the torch from his compatriot. Even in the highly competitive Bayern squad, it seems he'll continue to be a top candidate for playing time.

3. Jerome Boateng

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

There have been murmurs around the footballing world recently that have credited Jerome Boateng as being the world's best center-back. At this point, it's hard to look past the in-form Bayern defender.

Long known for his tremendous strength and quickness of feet, Boateng began the month with some dazzling skill as he delivered two gorgeous long passes from defense to assist his teammates in the 5-1 drubbing of Borussia Dortmund. The Germany international was excellent in defense during that match as well, as he would be for the rest of the month.

Although Bayern did concede four goals during the month—a high figure by their standards—Boateng can hardly be faulted. In general, opposing strikers hardly had a sniff of goal regardless of whom Boateng partnered and how aggressive Pep Guardiola's selection was. That's quite phenomenal.

2. Robert Lewandowski

Czarek Sokolowski/Associated Press

Robert Lewandowski's form has cooled a bit in recent weeks, and as a result, he ranks only second among Bayern's top performers for October.

He only scored three goals and gave two assists, netting a brace against former club Dortmund and delivering a man-of-the-match performance against Cologne.

That record would be enough to be the player of the month at most clubs, but in this highly competitive Bayern team, for October, Lewandowski will have to settle for second best.

1. Thomas Muller

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Lewandowski may have played a hand in five goals in October, but Thomas Muller went one better, was more consistent and was on target with the strikes that mattered most. He scored the first two goals against Dortmund, as well as the only goal of the game against Werder Bremen. It's no wonder the Germany international's valuation, according to Transfermarkt, has surged from €55 million to €75 million since the summer.

Muller scored six times in October and was also credited with an assist. Like the rest of his team, he could not make the difference against Frankfurt or find the net against Arsenal. But out of six games, he hit the target in four. That's excellent consistency, superlative among his teammates over the same period of time.

As a result of his making the difference at the key moments, Muller is honored as Bayern's best player for October.