Bayern Munich: Unstoppable German juggernaut or overrated flat-track bullies?

It was a might statement of intent by Pep Guardiola's men, who had struggled badly on returning from the winter break.

And the timing couldn't have been better: as the Champions League kicks back into action, the Bavarian giants look back at the peak of their powers.

At least, that's what you might initially infer. But not everybody is convinced that Bayern under Guardiola are anything like the all-conquering treble champions assembled by Jupp Heynckes a few seasons ago. Yes, it was a big win; but a big win against a struggling Bundesliga outfit (one they have a habit of thrashing) is hardly the same as storming to Champions League victory against the finest clubs in the world.

So just how good is this Bayern team, then? We polled our writers across Europe to find out, asking them four key questions.

- - -

After a bad start to this year Bayern is back with a bang. The 8-0 win against Hamburg was very impressive - and the right win at the right time, because there had been some rumours flying about Mario Götze, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller, who'd all been benched recently after some poor performances. But after that great win against Hamburg the mood is rising – Lewandowski, Müller and Götze are happy again, and the rest of Europe should watch out.

Robben is in fantastic shape. He's regularly playing every game from start to finish; he’s hungry, fast and technically brilliant. He’s the best Robben EVER!

Absolutely he can win the tournament, particularly with Robben in such great form and Franck Ribery back fit once again, giving him another strong attacking option. In fact there's only one problem facing the Spaniard – he must decide whether to anchor his team on Bastian Schweinsteiger or Xabi Alonso. Both players are simply too equal. Against Hamburg Schweinsteiger played very well; Alonso was injured, but he’ll come back.

As for Pep in general? Some experts in Germany say that Pep isn’t that great coach - because he took two strong teams with fantastic players from other coaches (Barcelona & Bayern). And I would say that Bayern played very well under Jupp Heynckes. The whole team was so strong because of this special team spirit under him.

But Bayern wanted to have a new style of football for the future - and Guardiola told the press when he started that this future needs time. He also said that it’ll be difficult for Bayern in the second half of this season.

But this year he has to show that his Bayern can win the Champions League title. In my eyes Jupp's Bayern and Pep's Bayern are equal in terms of quality, but Jupp's Bayern were more successful. That is something Pep can change this season.

- - -

Everyone remaining in the Champions League fears having to face Bayern. But, this was the case before they hammered Hamburg - who they always seem get their biggest results against, in recent years. The win over Hamburg hasn’t really increased or decreased their fear factor.

The likes of Real and Chelsea will of course want to meet Bayern only when it’s completely unavoidable, i.e. in the final. But then again, it’s fair to say they'd have the same opinion when it came to facing each other, or any of the other big-hitters.

Sure, he's good. But there are lots of good players out there, and he's not at the level of Messi or Ronaldo. He still has flaws - just as Bayern do.

I think it’s fair to say there is still a large pocket of fans in Britain who struggle to understand whether or not Pep is doing a great job, partly because Heynckes had such an amazing final season before Guardiola arrived.

Of course they are a strong bet to win the Champions League this year, but a huge win over one (struggling) domestic opponent cannot really cloud how Wolfsburg took them apart recently (think back to Real v Bayern last season); or how Schalke managed to neutralise them in every aspect tactically in the very next fixture - something I’m sure Jose Mourinho would look to do if they end up playing Chelsea.

Bayern's victory was amazing. We knew they would find their form again after the winter break, and the doubts that followed over the next few weeks. That brilliant form has come just as the Champions League last 16 begins, so we see Bayern as one of the toughest teams to beat.

Big teams should respect Bayern Munich, though not really fear them. Last season they got amazing results domestically, but were eliminated in the semi-finals. I don’t think anyone will fear them any more or less because of one big victory.

Robben is in incredible form, we think he’s in the level below Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. There are several players that in their best form get really close to those two ‘aliens’ - Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sergio Aguero and Robben. But none of them are quite at the same level.

Guardiola's work in Munich is still really good. He could have won the Champions League in 2015 even without the boos of that 8-0 result. Good players, good team, good coach… Why would they not win the title?

- - -

Every club has to fear Bayern in the Champions League due to their history in the competition, and especially with their results in recent years. They are one of the top three or four most competitive teams in Europe right now and they stand alongside Real, Barça and Chelsea as the favourites. That has nothing to do with this 8-0 win against Hamburg, which was helped by a quite severe penalty against HSV for the opening goal.

When Robben is not injured, he’s one of the most decisive players in the world, one of the fastest, one with the greatest biggest skills to neutralise, one with the sharpest instinct in front of goal. He has proven it for years, at both club and international level. I think he’s definitely the most important player at Bayern, just as Messi is for Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo for Real or Ibra for PSG. No question.

Guardiola has a lot to prove this year. Bayern were on the top of the world in 2013, and their fall was really hard to take last year against Real Madrid. They lost their superiority in Europe, and putting them back on top is Pep's greatest challenge. To me, asking if Bayern can win the Champions League following an 8-0 against Hamburg does not make as much sense as asking the same question after their 4-1 defeat at Wolfsburg. Either way, Bayern are always among the favourites in Europe, so yes, they can win it this year. But I’m more impressed by Barcelona after they beat Atletico three times last month (yes, the same team which crushed Real 4-0), than I am with Bayern after an 8-0 win against Hamburg.

- - -

I don’t think so, but alongside with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea, Bayern are one of the favourites to win the tournament. PSG are a step below that.

Absolutely, he is one of the best players in the world. But Messi and Ronaldo, and maybe Neymar and Ibrahimovic, are still better than him.

He's been excellent! He's completely changed German football. I think Germany has to thank him dor the Mannschaft winning the World Cup in Brazil. And yes, he could win the Champions League, a competition where little details do make all the difference.