Bayern left it late but got the job done against Manchester City, as Jerome Boateng came back to haunt his former club and fired a crucial first-ever goal in his 32nd Champions League outing against the reigning Premier League champions.
Boateng's pile driver may have deflected off Mario Gotze's back -- flying into the net past City keeper Joe Hart, who had denied Bayern brilliantly all game -- but the 26-year-old has come on leaps and bounds since his move from Manchester. He has become Pep Guardiola's rock at the heart of the defence and Dante's days as a first choice are numbered.
His goal adds weight to the argument that the German giants are the epitome of strong starters in Europe's elite competition and, by my maths, the last-gasp win in Munich was their 11th Champions League in a row in the opening group fixture. Indeed, Bayern have won every initial joust since succumbing to Roy Makaay's hat trick for Deportivo La Coruna 12 years ago.
Probable group whipping boys CSKA Moscow are next up and, as UEFA have sanctioned the Russian side for repeated racist behaviour from fans, Bayern will play their next opponents behind closed doors in a ghostly atmosphere. Things are looking good already for another assault on the title.
Player Ratings (0-10)
GK: Manuel Neuer -- 7: The world's best keeper was hardly tested. Another clean sheet for Neuer, who was resplendent in his (still very clean) white kit.
RCB: Mehdi Benatia -- 7: An assured debut at the heart of the defence for the Bundesliga's most expensive summer signing.
CB: Jerome Boateng -- 9: The centre-back with most touches of the ball (105) crowned a masterful man-of-the-match performance with a precious last-minute winner against his old club.
LCB: David Alaba -- 8: Started the game as the third centre-back before Pep pushed the Austrian into midfield. But he catches the eye whatever position he plays.
LM: Juan Bernat -- 7: The Spaniard caught the eye with a composed Champions League debut for the Bavarians and didn't look out of place on the left side.
DM: Xabi Alonso -- 7: A calming influence, but exactly what we expect from a master of the position. Alonso is the standard by which others can be measured. Still trying to work out why Real Madrid really wanted to sell him, but Bayern have benefitted.
CM: Philipp Lahm -- 7: If the "Magic Dwarf" scored more, he would get a rating of nine every week. Germany's retired skipper does everything well and without fuss and controls the tempo from the middle.
RM: Rafinha -- 7: The Brazilian made a rapid return from injury, rampaging down the right in his first start of the season.
AM: Mario Gotze -- 6: In an otherwise unremarkable game, "Super Mario" actually scored the winner, via his back. The World Cup final goal-scoring hero should claim it as he didn't convert any of his other chances.
AM: Thomas Muller -- 5: When rated against his incredibly high standards, this was not one of his glory nights. Started badly -- missing a sitter after 39 seconds. Ended badly -- replaced by Arjen Robben with 15 minutes to play.
CF: Robert Lewandowski -- 6: Just the one competitive goal so far for the Bavarians, his best is yet to come domestically and in Europe.
Substitutes
CB: Dante -- NR: Came on for Benatia with five minutes to play. Dante's days as a first choice are numbered.
AM: Arjen Robben -- 5: Late cameo memorable only for one of those "stumbles" in the opposition box.
CF: Claudio Pizarro -- NR: The 35-year-old Peruvian replaced Rafinha, but there was not enough time to add to his 21 Champions League goals for Bayern.