Bayern Munich advance to UCL quarter-finals after sloppy win – Player grades

Bayern Munich advance past the Champions League round of 16 with a super sloppy performance but eventual victory over Besiktas.

Manager grade

Jupp Heynckes — C

Really not much to say about Jupp here. Starting Robert Lewandowski and Jerome Boateng/Mats Hummels was questionable, considering Lewy was sitting on a yellow card and both center-backs, who will be crucial down the line for Bayern Munich in the Champions League, both picked up yellow cards.

Player grades

GK, Sven Ulreich — C+

Sven gave up a goal when attempting to be a sweeper keeper, but aside from that there was a constant lack of action from the German.

DEF, David Alaba — C

Alaba seemed out of form for the entirety of the match. With errant passes, sloppy tackles, and some questionable decisions, Alaba seemed to be stuck in the mindset of “we’ve already advanced.”

DEF, Mats Hummels — B-

Aside from Mats yellow card, he played a cool, calm, collected game as always. The yellow card, however, could prove beyond detrimental down the line for Bayern.

DEF, Jerome Boateng — C

Boateng’s yellow puts him in the same situation as Hummels, at risk of missing out on future matches in the Champions league. Boateng also made some bad passes that led to goal-scoring opportunities for Besiktas.

DEF, Rafinha — C+

Rafinha, starting in place of Joshua Kimmich who was sitting on a yellow card, played a relatively uneventful match. He did place a cross into the box that found the back of the net off of Gokhan Gonul for an own goal. Rafinha also made an extremely dangerous tackle on Besiktas’ Quaresma that led to a yellow card.

MID, Javi Martinez — B

Javi Martinez played a good match. With all the erratic passing from Bayern, especially in the second half, Javi seemed to be the anchor that kept Besiktas from scoring more than the one goal they did.

MID, Arturo Vidal — B-

Vidal played well in the first half, and played very sloppily in the second half. If Besiktas would not have scored, Vidal would of received a red card in the box. But his attack play in the first half earns Vidal, at the least, a moderate grade for the match.

MID, Thiago — B+

Thiago played well in the few minutes he got to play. A great goal from a great cross from Muller showed exactly what Bayern can do when at full health. The chemistry between the tenured players showed in that moment and maybe sent a small warning sign to the rest of the teams remaining in the competition. Unfortunately, Thiago exited the match with an apparent injury.

MID, Franck Ribery — C-

The Frenchman’s age showed in this match. It could of also been a lack of urgency. Ribery made bad passes, bad tackles, and didn’t really show much care throughout the match.

MID, Thomas Muller — B

Muller was one of the few bright spots in this match. A beautiful cross in the first half found the feet of Thiago for the opening goal, one that put the tie out of reach for Besiktas. Throughout the match Muller also showed why he’s Bayern’s captain. Muller pushed his teammates to keep playing hard even though the tie was obviously over.

FWD, Robert Lewandowski — D

Robert Lewandowski was very disinterested and, from my memory, really only tried to make a difference in the match once with a shot that was deflected. His obvious disinterest in the match was a very disappointing thing to see and made me question his future at the club a little bit as rumors of his departure grow by the day.

Next: Bayern Munich hold meeting with Uli Hoeness

Subs

MID, James Rodriguez — B-

James came on early for an injured Thiago and played a good match. Despite the all-around sloppy play from Bayern, James seemed to be composed for most of the match holding together the midfield.

DEF, Niklas Sule — N/A

Sule came on at half for Hummels who was sitting on a yellow card. Despite play 45 minutes, Sule didn’t do enough good or bad to really warrant a grade.

FWD, Sandro Wagner — C

Wagner came in for Lewandowski late in the match, played some attacking football, and was rewarded with a goal in garbage time. Wagner seemed to be playing with passion regardless of the scoreline as he continues to net goals in his minutes he gets as Lewandowski’s backup.