While some fans don't enjoy watching Bayern Munich lately due to Pep Guardiola's philosophy of total possession based football, they still have one of the strongest squads in world football. They are by far the best team in the Bundesliga and still one of the best teams in the Champions League, and are a team that will still attract and develop world class talent with an emphasis on a core of German players. Here is my first choice Bayern starting XI and a deeper analysis of the squad overall.
Goalkeeper
1Neuer
In goal they have Manuel Neuer, who is widely considered the best keeper in the world. Arguably Germany's best player at the World Cup, Neuer has a commanding presence while being a fabulous shot stopper, and is brave enough to come off his line and clear danger outside of the box.
As a back-up, new signing Pepe Reina is first in line. While past his peak, his ball distribution skills make him perfectly suited to Guardiola's system.
Third choice goalkeeper Tom Starke has had a tough time in goal recently, but the club still have certain faith in him while Lukas Raeder has left for Portugusese club Vitoria Setubal.
Defence
21Lahm
28Badstuber
17Benatia
27Alaba
It's a very tough choice, but I think this is the strongest back four Bayern have. While Philipp Lahm is often played in holding midfield nowadays, where his long range passing can be most effective, his defensive and attacking abilities, which make him one of the world's most technically gifted players, are best deployed at right back. The Bayern captain's international retirement can only benefit his club. Rafinha is a good right back with a great threat going forward, but is not in that elite class of defenders.
At left back, David Alaba has impressed by making that position his own at such a young age, forcing Diego Contento to go. He can play in midfield as well, but like Lahm, his long range strikes and defensive ability are best used at left back. New signing Juan Bernat can fill in if needed depending on the system used, although he is more attack-minded.
Central defence is a tough position to decide from, but new recruit Mehdi Benatia provided some of the most impressive statistics for a centre back last season. 21 league clean sheets with Roma, including nine in their first ten, and five goals is outstanding while his strength, commitment and threat from set pieces make him a prime candidate to start.
While he is unlikely to play a lot due to injury problems, Holger Badstuber would be an excellent defensive partner who could have been a regular for both club and country.
Bayern's depth in defence is very strong. Jerome Boateng has improved massively in the last few years with commanding performances and good pace to deal with any counter attack. Dante has shown great solidity and consistency in his performances as well, so Guardiola has great options to choose from and will often rotate them to ensure they have enough match time. With the promising Jan Kirchoff out on loan to come back for next season, Bayern have one of the strongest defensive departments in Europe.
Midfield
3X. Alonso
31Schweinsteiger
10Robben
25Müller
19Götze
One of the most competitive midfield departments around, Bayern have players with so many different characteristics that if played at a fast pace are tough for any team to defend against.
Xabi Alonso has come into the team and already established himself as the team's best long range passer, while his positional sense is outstanding. The fact he has fitted straight in shows his quality. It's difficult to decide who should be alongside him, but due to leadership, longevity and commitment to the cause, Bastian Schweinsteiger is the heartbeat of the team. There are more defensive minded options in Sebastian Rode and Javi Martinez, who provide great protection for the defence and bring more balance to the team, but Alonso for now has made the position his own.
Thiago Alcantara is a very exciting midfielder whose flair, technique and creativity makes him destined to start soon for Bayern and possibly Spain as long as injuries don't hinder his progress. While the likes of Pierre Hojbjerg and Mitchell Weiser are promising young midfielders, a 17-year-old Gianluca Gaudino has particularly caught the eye and has already made five appearances this season.
In the trio behind the striker, there are again many options to choose from. On the right has to be Arjen Robben. One of the world's best dribblers, his individual brilliance makes him a match winner and he is arguably Bayern's most dangerous attacking threat. On the other wing for years has been Franck Ribery, but despite his injury issues recently, he might find it very hard to break back into the team.
On the left and the player who should be in a more central role due to form is Mario Gotze. The World Cup final match winner has been consistently scoring since then while his creativity, link-up play and decision making are so strong for a player of 22-years-old.
In the middle for now, though, should be Thomas Muller. An all round midfielder who provides consistency, drive and a terrific goal scoring record, he is close to his peak and is one of Bayern's most important players.
Just missing out is Xherdan Shaqiri, who is very similar to the way Robben and Ribery play, yet while he is getting enough time through rotation and substitute appearances, he may be moving if he feels he can become more important to another European team challenging for honours.
Forwards
9Lewandowski
While some of the other positions on the pitch are debatable, like the goalkeeper position, there is no doubt who Bayern should have as their lone centre forward.
Robert Lewandowski is one of the world's best strikers and has a complete game. He is a poacher in the box, but with great aerial ability, hold-up play, chest control and a good degree of pace. He is hard for any defence to deal with.
While he is still adapting to Bayern's style of pla,y which is in great contrast to Dortmund's more expansive counter-attacking game, he will prove to be an excellent acquisition in the long term.
While Guardiola occasionally played a false nine last season, he should now stick with a main focal point in attack. Mario Mandzukic has gone to Atletico Madrid so the back-up option continues to be 36-year-old Claudio Pizzaro, the highest scoring foreign player in the Bundesliga who still delivers when called upon. This may be his final season, but the fact he is still playing for Bayern shows his class. Sinan Kurt is a young forward with potential, but we may not see much of him this season.
Overall, this should be a squad that not only wins the Bundesliga, but should be one of the favourites for the Champions League title. With great depth in almost every area, there is the freedom to rotate and still win most matches while doing it in a dominant fashion.
Guardiola has been criticised for his approach, particularly for being one-dimensional in the Champions League, but with the addition of Lewandowski, Alonso, Benatia and the improvement of players such as Gotze, Neuer and Muller, Bayern have to be in contention for Europe's elite competition.
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