Philipp Lahm sounds assured that the scenario could be salvaged. It might have been at any membership, one level off the highest with 9 matches to go and with a considerably higher objective distinction than the group in pole place. However that is Bayern Munich, serial winners of Bundesliga, European elite, soccer royalty. A membership with such an enormous community of legends – amongst them Lahm – that in 2011, the corporate they sourced stationary from was owned by one, former defender Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, a world and European champion with West Germany. On the time, Uli Hoenness, Gerd Mueller and Paul Breitner, Schwarzenbeck’s teammates in all-conquering membership and nation groups, have been a part of Bayern Munich as was Karl Heinz Rummenigge.
It was additionally a time when Bayern’s dominance in Germany was challenged. From 2010 to 2012, that they had gained zero Bundesliga titles. Their nemesis: Borussia Dortmund. As Bayern able to welcome them in Bundesliga’s Der Klassiker on Saturday, Dortmund have 53 factors from 25 video games. Bayern have one much less however that was purpose sufficient to interchange Julian Nagelsmann with Thomas Tuchel.
“It was very bold to guess on Nagelsmann,” says Lahm of the supervisor who was 33 when Bayern appointed him in 2021. Age was a part of the issue in managing a altering room the place Manuel Neuer was older and lots of huge names practically Nagelsmann’s age. “Expertise is a price that’s a part of a great supervisor. This may assist him in future. He is an efficient coach for certain.”
However the scenario might have been dealt with higher. Reacting to studies of Nagelsmann listening to of his ouster on social media, Lahm says: “Should you expertise this from newspapers… social media, it isn’t good. For an enormous membership.”
Nagelsmann went as a result of at Bayern it’s important to win each recreation, says Lahm. “The group has failed to do this too usually this yr. The duty for the remainder of the season is to vary that in the best manner.” Ergo, Champions League winner and runner-up Tuchel, who was a worthy successor to Juergen Klopp at Dortmund.
Bayern have gained all eight video games within the Champions League however solely 15 of their 25 in Bundesliga. They’ve had seven attracts, two greater than all of final season on solution to their eleventh successive league title, and misplaced 1-2 to Bayer Leverkusen earlier than the worldwide break, a end result that sealed Nagelsmann’s destiny.
Lahm, 39, thinks the subsequent few weeks will outline Bayern’s season. There may be additionally a German cup quarter-final subsequent week they usually play Manchester Metropolis within the Champions League spherical of eight. “The scenario is excellent as a result of they’re in all competitions. However now it’s about titles. That’s vital for Bayern Munich,” says the previous Germany and Bayern captain and 2014 World Cup winner on a Zoom name organized by Sony Sports activities.
However what if it goes south? “I don’t assume they’ll lose these 4 huge video games. But when they do, I don’t know… Out in cup, out in championships..” By way of a 5 o’clock shadow, Lahm’s smile reveals nice tooth and conveys that he can’t imagine what he’s saying.
In 13 video games this yr, Dortmund’s solely loss ended their run within the Champions League. They go to Munich beating FC Cologne 6-1. “I feel Dortmund are in a great section, they’ve confidence however at dwelling, with the (higher) expertise of the Bayern Munich gamers…”, says Lahm with a sweep of the best hand to emphasise the significance of the match being at Allianz Area. However ought to Dortmund open a four-point lead, it is going to be good for Bundesliga, he says.
But it surely gained’t be good for the league if Jude Bellingham leaves, as he’s more likely to in the summertime, Lahm is requested. “I don’t know what’s going to occur however he’s a really gifted participant. It can be crucial for a younger participant to play at a prime group each week. And I feel Dortmund is a prime group,” he says.