Lahm: Bayern are better than in 2010
Reuters - Thursday 03 May 2012, 14:21
Bayern Munich are stronger going
into this month's Champions League final against Chelsea than
they were at the same stage two years ago, according to captain
Philipp Lahm.
The Bavarians, who lost the 2010 final to Inter Milan, take
on Chelsea in their own Munich stadium on May 19.
"Our belief is greater than two years ago," the 28-year-old
Lahm told a small group of reporters at the team's training
ground on Thursday. "We are a group of players at the best
football age.
"As a generation you are always measured according to titles
and in Germany an international title is always necessary."
Sporting Bayern's red top and shorts, the softly-spoken
Germany captain said defeats could be equally as important as
victories.
"Defeats can prove positive. We lost the title two years ago
and now we want it. We have that experience and that is
invaluable," Lahm explained.
"We also eliminated a great team, Real Madrid, in the
semi-finals this season. We have a better balance between
offence and defence this year."
Lahm said Bayern, who have won the European Cup four times,
had a slight advantage given they were playing at home.
"We can prepare in the same way as for any Champions League
game," he said with a big smile. "Same hotel, same training,
same changing room, the drive to the stadium although the
atmosphere will be a bit different [with fewer Bayern fans]".
Each team will be allocated 17,500 tickets for the
66,000-seater Allianz Arena.
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, who also won the trophy with
Real in 1998, warned his players not to be complacent.
SLIGHT ADVANTAGE
"Maybe there is a slight advantage in our own stadium," said
Heynckes. "But it will be a top team against us and so I think
that it is about 50-50.
"I don't share the opinion that it will be easy or is
already settled. We will not make that mistake and I have told
my players that."
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger also warned of Chelsea's
desire to win the one trophy that has so far eluded them.
"Chelsea have played very well," said the midfielder while
munching on some grapes.
"It also looks like this could be the last final for [veteran] players like Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba."
Bayern still have their last Bundesliga game at Cologne on
Saturday and the German Cup final against Borussia Dortmund to
play on May 12 but winger Arjen Robben said he was purely
focused on the Champions League.
"The final is all I am thinking about," said the Dutch
international who used to play for Chelsea, "a final against a
team that have reached the semis six times in nine years.
"That 2010 defeat for us is a stimulus," added Robben who
played for Chelsea from 2004-07 and declared that he still
"loved" the London club.