My Interview with Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm

I did an interview with FC Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm about the upcoming UEFA Champions League season which starts tonight for the Bavarians with a match in Spain against CF Villarreal. Excerpts of the interview have been published by different newspapers, but here is the complete interview! Some interesting answers from Philipp Lahm...


How do you see Bayern Munich's chances of bringing back the UEFA Champions League trophy to Munich?

Surely it is a dream for us! The final is in Munich, so we surely want to be there in the final; but it is difficult to win an international title like the Champions League. Still we will give it our best shot.

The final is in Munich. How important is this Champions League season for your club Bayern Munich?

As a player you don't often have the chance to play the Champions League final at your home ground. We will do everything to get there, but you have to work hard for it and also need a little bit of luck to get to that stage.

This seasons Group A contains FC Bayern Munich, CF Villarreal, Manchester City and SSC Napoli. Sounds like the strongest group. Whats your assessment?

An even group, no weak opponents. These are tough team, who are all strong at home. In this group you have teams clubbed together from the top European leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy). An interesting group, but we are FC Bayern Munich who want to get far in this competition and for that we need to get past the group stage. And we go fully prepared into the competition.

You say an even group, but who would you rate as the toughest opponent for Bayern Munich in the group?

Difficult to say. One can only say so after the first few group games who will be the toughest opponent. We need to have a good start to be amongst the two teams who qualify from the group. We have a tough opener in Villarreal and if we can take home a point or even a win, then we would have an advantage.

Could the first game against Villarreal be a key encounter?

Surely! A good start into the Champion League season is important, then also away. It would be good if we can take some points home.

What are your personal aims? Similar to those of the team?

No. They are exactly the same as those of the team! We want to get as far as possible in the competition, but a Champions League season is long. We reached the final in 2010, so why shouldn't it be possible to repeat it this season.

Are the usual suspects the favourites for this seasons Champions League title or do you expect surprises?

The Champions League has shown over the years that teams can reach the quarterfinals and semifinals whom you wouldn't expect to be there. But the top favourites for me are surely defending champions FC Barcelona besides the usual suspects like Real Madrid and Manchester United, but this season I feel we as FC Bayern Munich also have a chance to win the title.