"Uninspiring" and "pedestrian".

Most of the comments I've heard about the opening of the Rueckrunde against Gruether Fuerth have been along those lines, and I'm inclined to disagree. Although Bayern Munich could have likely scored another two or three, there are 16 matches left in this season's Bundesliga and I am more than content with three points.

A brace by Mario Mandzukic (26th, 61st), sparkling play by Franck Ribery, excellent (again!) defense by Dante and a poor performance by Gruether Fuerth 'keeper Wolfgang Hesl kept Bayern Munich on top of the Bundesliga table by nine points on a bitterly cold afternoon in the Allianz Arena.

- Mandzukic scores twice for Bayern

The number of corner kicks (17/1) tells the tale of a Cloverleaves squad that could only mostly defend, making the odd foray forward for a half-hearted poke at goal. Bayern 'keeper Manuel Neuer touched the ball a handful of times in the first 45 minutes, and only had one save to make in the second half -- against Fuerth substitution Ilir Azemi -- to keep his 12th clean sheet this season.

Mandzukic opened the scoring on a Thomas Mueller cross, beating defender Lasse Sobiech to the ball. Hesl, strangely, bobbled the shot allowing the ball to cross the line. Mandzukic's second of the evening came on 61 minutes from a Toni Kroos free kick -- the Croat headed home, despite being surrounded, for his sixth brace of his career after being held scoreless in his previous six Bayern Munich appearances.

There were wasted chances all around, but in the end, a result deserved. Gruether Fuerth, while conceding earlier than they did their first time out, did an overall better job of handling Bayern Munich. If it wasn't for Hesl, this match might have easily been a draw. Saying that, that's the mark of a championship squad, isn't it? Getting results when you're not at your optimum?

A friendly against TSV Alemannia Aachen is scheduled for Sunday, and next week Bayern travels to Stuttgart for a hostile, lively away match.

Odds and ends:

NEW! Fun Bayern Munich drinking game*: Take a shot every time someone says: "Pep Guardiola", "ex-Barcelona manager", "Pep", "Catalan manager", "Barcelona", "similarities".

(*Note: this replaces old drinking game: Take a shot every time someone says: "Chelsea", "May 19th", "Champions of Europe", "Champions League final runners-up", "Second place".)

And on that note, best thing about the Guardiola signing is that no one has to hear about the 2012 Champions League final week-in and week-out anymore.

Hair-apparent: Is Javi Martinez trying to grow out a Dante 'fro? Bastian Schweinsteiger's haircut, good. Mario Gomez's haircut, bad.

Bayern had nearly 80 percent possession, but scored only two goals. And people think Guardiola's style is so much different than that?

Neuer is the model of a modern goalkeeper. Heading out of danger in the 42nd minute was class.

Ribery was all over the place; actually having better chances from the right than the left. Lovely leave-offs and back passes solidified a comprehensive performance.

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