Ranking Bayern Munich's Top 5 Players for March 2016
Bayern Munich had their ups and downs in March, but emerged from a difficult month still in good position to win a treble.
They lost to Mainz in the Bundesliga but managed to avoid Borussia Dortmund cutting their Bundesliga lead to two points with a gritty draw at Signal Iduna Park, and they later came back from two goals behind to beat Juventus 4-2 in the UEFA Champions League and reach the quarter-finals.
Following the end of March, B/R takes a look at the standout performers over the last month, honoring Bayern's top five players in all club competitions.
Click "Begin Slideshow" to begin our countdown.
5. Thiago Alcantara
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Thiago Alcantara was far from Bayern's most relied-upon player in March, but minute-for-minute, he may have been their most effective.
The 24-year-old was magnificent against Werder Bremen, scoring the opener and later completing his brace.
Although apparently chosen to give Arturo Vidal a rest, Thiago's brilliance against Bremen could explain why he was selected to come off the bench against Juventus in extra time four days later. In that fixture, he had an almost immediate impact, scoring the winner seven minutes after his introduction.
Thiago's influence in March could mark a turning point in his season. He's certainly earned the right to play more often than he has.
4. Robert Lewandowski
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Despite ranking only fourth among Bayern's top performers in March, Robert Lewandowski maintained his brilliant goalscoring form over the last month.
He was on target against Werder Bremen and scored a crucial winner against Cologne in a match in which his teammates otherwise didn't look up to the task.
Most importantly, Lewandowski netted a vital goal against Juventus that cut Bayern's deficit to 2-1. The Bavarians had looked stymied beforehand, but after his goal, they had the confidence to turn the tie in their favor.
It was a key moment for the Poland international and for the club as a whole.
3. Thomas Muller
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As always, Thomas Muller came up big for Bayern and was one of their strongest performers in March.
He provided little against Mainz and Dortmund, and perhaps that explains why Bayern were unable to win those games. When on form, he made the difference.
Muller had a brace against Bremen, but his best performance of the month came four days later against Juventus. With his team still a goal behind in the closing moments of regular time, he scored a dramatic equalizer before assisting Thiago's winner in extra time.
The Champions League performance especially was crucial to Bayern's season. It seems that as Muller goes, so go Bayern Munich.
2. Arturo Vidal
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Arturo Vidal had been a big disappointment for most of the season, but March marked a serious upturn in his form. The midfielder had an assist in his side's loss to Mainz, but his real impact was felt in the bigger matches.
Vidal gave the two finest performances of his Bayern career against Borussia Dortmund and his former club, Juventus.
The energy, combative nature and excellent ball-winning ability that characterized most of his career was back on display over the last month, and Bayern were much better off as a result.
Without Vidal's upturn in form, they could well have only a two-point lead in the Bundesliga and be out of the Champions League.
1. Kingsley Coman
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Kingsley Coman is the youngest player in the senior Bayern squad, but the 19-year-old was also their best in March.
He's made enormous strides in recent months, and fully deserves his spot atop the list of the club's best performers.
If Thiago had a good performance against Bremen, Coman was even better: The Frenchman gave three assists in a man-of-the-match performance.
And just as Thiago played well against Juve, Coman one-upped him again as he assisted the late equalizer and sealed the result as he scored to put Bayern two goals ahead in extra time.
Still very young, Coman is already becoming indispensable in this Bayern team.
