On Wednesday (20:45 CEST) Bayern München host Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final of the DFB Pokal. Bayern‘s captain Philipp Lahm is trying to make to an eighth DFB Pokal final. The Germany World Cup winner speaks to us about the significance of the DFB Pokal and the upcoming semi-final against Dortmund.
Question: Mr Lahm, will the result of Wednesday’s semi-final against Dortmund determine whether this will be a successful or unsuccessful season for Bayern?
Philipp Lahm: There’s no way it will be a bad season. It would only be made worse if we don’t win a title. It’s looking as though that won’t be the case. We want to be in every competition until the end and therefore, for us the next match is always the most important. How far we now go in the cup will determine whether it will be a good or a very good season for us.
Question: During the 2-2 draw with Mainz last Saturday, one could see that the players‘ heads were still in Madrid. What do you need to do to be fresh and ready to perform on Wednesday?
Lahm: We don’t need to do that much. We have the prospect of a final in Berlin ahead of us, that’s the biggest motivation that you can have. If you’re not motivated now, you’re not doing your job. It’s the semi-final of the DFB Pokal against Dortmund, we’re playing against our main competitors from recent years. In the last few years we’ve always come up against Dortmund in the cup and that makes it interesting and shows how strong both teams are.
Question: This will be your last meeting with Dortmund. Has Dortmund been your favourite opponent over the years because you hold them in such high regard?
Lahm: Now is not the time to get emotional. We’re about to play a cup semi-final. Perhaps in a few weeks when my career has actually finished then I will look back emotionally. But there’s still a bit of time between now and then. I’m looking forward to the game on Wednesday, because it’s always been a top match.
Question: How much of an indicator was the recent 4-1 win over Dortmund in the Bundesliga?
Lahm: Both teams have more players available now. Back then, Dortmund had a lot of injuries. This game has completely different outlook because it’s a different competition. We need to be at 100% to beat Dortmund. They have a very talented team, offensively more than anything. Therefore, they’re a very dangerous team.
Question: Is it fair to say that the momentum lies with Dortmund at the moment? They beat Gladbach 3-2 last Saturday, whereas Bayern haven’t won any of their last four matches.
Lahm: We’ve shown over the last few years that we’re always up for mid-week games and always put in a good performance. Of course, we also have to look over what happened at the weekend because some there were some things which simply can’t happen.
Question: How big a loss is it not to have Manuel Neuer for the season run-in?
Lahm: Sven Ulreich has my full confidence. It is always tough for a second keeper when you are always on the bench and have to wait for something to happen, so it’s normal that you need a bit of time to adapt when you’re suddenly called upon. But he’s had that time now and fortunately he’s also had a few games. He’s made a very good account of himself in the last few matches and has kept us in the game on many occasions. We’re all aware of Sven’s quality.
Question: You’ve had a lot of injuries in defence recently, namely with Mats Hummels, Jérôme Boateng and Javi Martínez. How big a problem is that proving?
Lahm: Obviously it’s not a great situation for us. We’ve got a lot of injuries, some of which are minor and others that are more serious. Some of them are also ones that have accumulated over time and that affects the whole squad. I think almost all of the defence are pretty much fit now. As far as I understand the coach has everyone available to choose from for the next game.
Question: Your last few clashes with Dortmund in the cup have included some dramatic penalty shootouts. What do you remember about those?
Lahm: I don’t usually take. When I’ve taken first, it’s gone well for me but it hasn’t been that good for us as a team overall, so I think I’ll probably go between six to eleven if it comes to that.
Question: How often do you work on penalties at Bayern?
Lahm: We’ve been practicing but not just before this game. We do it after training from time to time. Penalties are always a last resort and are something you have to work on but we want to avoid it. We’d much prefer to win it in 90 minutes or then in 120 if we have to.
Question: What has been the biggest game you’ve played against Dortmund in your career? The Champions League final in 2013 at Wembley?
Lahm: What do you think? It’s difficult to remember each individual match from more than 500 but that one really sticks out in my mind, even though I’m a bit older (laugh).
Question: This year could be your eighth and last cup final in Berlin. What would that mean?
Lahm: It would be a great way to send off because I’ve also had a lot of experiences in Berlin and been able to play in a lot of finals there, most of which have thankfully ended well. It’s just such an amazing atmosphere there with both teams’ fans and for me that is what the cup is all about. An incredible atmosphere, an incredible vibe.
On Wednesday (20:45 CEST) Bayern München host Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final of the DFB Pokal. Bayern‘s captain Philipp Lahm is trying to make to an eighth DFB Pokal final. The Germany World Cup winner speaks to us about the significance of the DFB Pokal and the upcoming semi-final against Dortmund.
Question: Mr Lahm, will the result of Wednesday’s semi-final against Dortmund determine whether this will be a successful or unsuccessful season for Bayern?
Philipp Lahm: There’s no way it will be a bad season. It would only be made worse if we don’t win a title. It’s looking as though that won’t be the case. We want to be in every competition until the end and therefore, for us the next match is always the most important. How far we now go in the cup will determine whether it will be a good or a very good season for us.
Question: During the 2-2 draw with Mainz last Saturday, one could see that the players‘ heads were still in Madrid. What do you need to do to be fresh and ready to perform on Wednesday?
Lahm: We don’t need to do that much. We have the prospect of a final in Berlin ahead of us, that’s the biggest motivation that you can have. If you’re not motivated now, you’re not doing your job. It’s the semi-final of the DFB Pokal against Dortmund, we’re playing against our main competitors from recent years. In the last few years we’ve always come up against Dortmund in the cup and that makes it interesting and shows how strong both teams are.
Question: This will be your last meeting with Dortmund. Has Dortmund been your favourite opponent over the years because you hold them in such high regard?
Lahm: Now is not the time to get emotional. We’re about to play a cup semi-final. Perhaps in a few weeks when my career has actually finished then I will look back emotionally. But there’s still a bit of time between now and then. I’m looking forward to the game on Wednesday, because it’s always been a top match.
Question: How much of an indicator was the recent 4-1 win over Dortmund in the Bundesliga?
Lahm: Both teams have more players available now. Back then, Dortmund had a lot of injuries. This game has completely different outlook because it’s a different competition. We need to be at 100% to beat Dortmund. They have a very talented team, offensively more than anything. Therefore, they’re a very dangerous team.
Question: Is it fair to say that the momentum lies with Dortmund at the moment? They beat Gladbach 3-2 last Saturday, whereas Bayern haven’t won any of their last four matches.
Lahm: We’ve shown over the last few years that we’re always up for mid-week games and always put in a good performance. Of course, we also have to look over what happened at the weekend because some there were some things which simply can’t happen.
Question: How big a loss is it not to have Manuel Neuer for the season run-in?
Lahm: Sven Ulreich has my full confidence. It is always tough for a second keeper when you are always on the bench and have to wait for something to happen, so it’s normal that you need a bit of time to adapt when you’re suddenly called upon. But he’s had that time now and fortunately he’s also had a few games. He’s made a very good account of himself in the last few matches and has kept us in the game on many occasions. We’re all aware of Sven’s quality.
Question: You’ve had a lot of injuries in defence recently, namely with Mats Hummels, Jérôme Boateng and Javi Martínez. How big a problem is that proving?
Lahm: Obviously it’s not a great situation for us. We’ve got a lot of injuries, some of which are minor and others that are more serious. Some of them are also ones that have accumulated over time and that affects the whole squad. I think almost all of the defence are pretty much fit now. As far as I understand the coach has everyone available to choose from for the next game.
Question: Your last few clashes with Dortmund in the cup have included some dramatic penalty shootouts. What do you remember about those?
Lahm: I don’t usually take. When I’ve taken first, it’s gone well for me but it hasn’t been that good for us as a team overall, so I think I’ll probably go between six to eleven if it comes to that.
Question: How often do you work on penalties at Bayern?
Lahm: We’ve been practicing but not just before this game. We do it after training from time to time. Penalties are always a last resort and are something you have to work on but we want to avoid it. We’d much prefer to win it in 90 minutes or then in 120 if we have to.
Question: What has been the biggest game you’ve played against Dortmund in your career? The Champions League final in 2013 at Wembley?
Lahm: What do you think? It’s difficult to remember each individual match from more than 500 but that one really sticks out in my mind, even though I’m a bit older (laugh).
Question: This year could be your eighth and last cup final in Berlin. What would that mean?
Lahm: It would be a great way to send off because I’ve also had a lot of experiences in Berlin and been able to play in a lot of finals there, most of which have thankfully ended well. It’s just such an amazing atmosphere there with both teams’ fans and for me that is what the cup is all about. An incredible atmosphere, an incredible vibe.
