Philipp Lahm: 'Clean sheet is an absolute must'

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1361 votes: 2

26.09.2006

Just a few months ago, Bayern went to Milan with high hopes, but returned to Munich with their tails between their legs after a humbling 4-1 reverse against AC Milan. Philipp Lahm was in the team that day, and returns to the Giuseppe Meazza stadium on Wednesday for the clash with AC's equally powerful city rivals Internazionale.

fcbayern.de spoke to the star left-back as the Bayern squad prepared to board the plane in Munich, asking him about the demoralising defeat back in March, midweek opponents Inter, and Bayern's unaccustomed role as underdogs.

Interview: Philipp Lahm

fcbayern.de: Philipp, Bayern lost 4-1 at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium back in the spring. What do you feel about returning to the ground?

Lahm: "I'm looking forward to the stadium, which is a wonderful place. I've already forgotten the AC Milan match, it took place a few months ago, and a lot has happened since then. All we have to do is avoid defeat on Wednesday, and everything will be OK."

fcbayern.de: You lost to Milan with Bayern, and with Germany, you were beaten by Italy in Florence and then in the World Cup semi-final. Isn't it time for a win against an Italian team?

Lahm: "It certainly its, I've been on the losing side against Italians in three big matches this year. But that makes me even more determined to win against Inter."

fcbayern.de: What do you see as Inter's strengths and weaknesses?

Lahm: "They have exceptional individuals. We'll have to see if the new signings have settled into the team yet. They've not had many league fixtures so far, which has to be an advantage for us, as we've had more match practice and we should be further on as a unit. But overall, Inter are a very good team, and it'll be difficult to score against them."

fcbayern.de: How do you approach a team like that?

Lahm: "We have to keep it tight and concentrate from the start. In the first instance, we have to avoid conceding goals. A clean sheet is an absolute must. And our forwards are always capable of scoring."

fcbayern.de: The clash with Inter rates as one of the few matches in which Bayern are not favourites. Is that an advantage for you?

Lahm: "Over the course of the last three or four games, our opponents have consistently done nothing but defend. Now we're meeting a team which favours attacking football. They'll push up and make a game of it. That has to be good for us."

fcbayern.de: Why has the Bayern defence appeared uncertain at times in recent matches?

Lahm: "It's difficult to say. The easy answer is that it's a problem with the back four, but often enough, we've not looked good defending as a team. But I still believe we've got it under control in recent matches. It looked worse at the start, but it's getting better. We have to take a defensive attitude and make sure we don't concede a goal. That's our single biggest task."

fcbayern.de: Is meeting Inter the test you need right now?

Lahm: "It is. We're playing one of the best teams in Europe. It's a chance to show what we can do."