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David Alaba: 7.5
David Alaba is one of the few players whose role hasn’t been tinkered with by their new boss, Pep Guardiola. While Ribery was injured, Alaba and Rafinha would tend to sit back and keep the defence airtight, but ever since the return of Frank Ribery, Alaba tends to participate more in the attack, while Dante covers the flank for a quick counter attack.
His pace, as well as his defensive abilities have made him a key element in the Bayern blitz, and as Frank Ribery once said, Alaba is the reason why Ribery went from being a world class player to the best player in Europe.
Rafinha: 6
The Brazilian full back has had more opportunities under their new boss, since Phillip Lahm, who used to play as Bayern’s first choice Right Back, has been shifted to a less familiar role as a Central Defensive midfielder. Rafinha provides vital forays down the right flank, as well as the services of a strong defender in the case of a counter attack. Yet, he hasn’t been anything extra special, something which is nearly synonymous with a footballer from Bayern Munich.
With Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez itching to play, Lahm will, under normal circumstances, be moved back to his role at the Right flank, spelling out the end of pitch time for Rafinha.
Phillip Lahm: 8
Phillip Lahm
Captain fantastic of Bayern Munich is no enigma, yet Guardiola is taking this game of tic-tac-toe like a rubic’s cube. Instead of sticking to his favoured position as the right back of the team, Guardiola prefers to see him play as a Central defensive midfielder. But with players such as Javi Martinez, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara, such a travesty shouldn’t be occurring.
Also, Lahm is less participative in attacks these days, and he tends to lodge in between Dante and Boateng during most Bayern attacks, even though his pace and crossing ability are qualities that he has honed far more than his defending.
Lahm, however, is making the most of his position, launching crucial attacks with his vision and pace, as well as tracking back expertly to defend the goal. But now that Javi Martinez and Schweinsteiger finally through with their convalescence, one would hope that Lahm would continue playing in the same position where FIFpro felt he was the best in the world just last season.
