Lahm predicting golden times ahead

There are few more resounding ways of making your mark on the football stage than by smashing in the first goal of a FIFA World Cup on your home ground. That is exactly what Philipp Lahm did at the 2006 finals, when he scored for Germany after six minutes of their opening game against Costa Rica in Munich. Suddenly the eyes of the world were on FC Bayern München's attacking full-back. Still only 25, Lahm has played 62 times for his country and has won three Bundesliga titles with Bayern. As he says in this Q&A with uefa.com readers, European silverware and a trophy for Germany are now on his wish list.

How would you rate this year's Bayern squad compared to those of previous years?
Michael Gallo

Philipp Lahm: We're more or less on the same level. You lose some quality, but gain some as well. It comes down to how well the squad functions as a team. I believe a manager needs time to find a squad that can implement his philosophy. We've had some changes on the managerial front in recent years, that's why we haven't been able to build a characteristic FC Bayern team, the way it was from 1998 to 2001.

What is is like playing with Bastian Schweinsteiger?
Zachary Maloney

Lahm: We can play together blind-folded. We played together in the Bayern youth teams and have known each other for more than ten years. We've probably played more than 500 games together.

Who is the best left-back you have seen play?
Tiago Guga, 22, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Lahm: My role model has always been Paolo Maldini. His career was extraordinary, he's a real idol. Bixente Lizarazu, too, my predecessor at Bayern, was an exceptional player at his peak in that position. I've learnt a lot from him.

Why have German teams struggled in the Champions League in recent years, while the German national team has done well?
Fedin, 19, Greece

Lahm: You can't compare club teams with the national team. The Bundesliga has lost some ground to the English and Spanish leagues in recent years. The leading teams in Europe – Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United, for example – boast top-class squads with the best players in every position. That's also down to the financial capabilities, of course. In the national teams, the best players from any given country are chosen. Some countries might have better teams than us but we always manage to perform strongly as a team and arrive at tournaments ideally prepared.

Who is your best friend at Bayern?
Otto, Liberec, Czech Republic

Lahm: Andreas Ottl. He's born and bred in Munich, like me, and we've known each other since childhood. We do spend a lot of time together off the pitch as well.

Since Bayern's 2001 Champions League triumph, they have not progressed much in the knockout stages. Can Bayern reach the final this term?
Anoosh Madadi, 18, Turkey

Lahm: We try to get closer to the final each year. Last season, we got knocked out in the quarters and the distance between us and the top four was evident. We hope the gap will have narrowed this season and in the coming two, three years, we want to challenge for the title again.

When you started your career what target did you set yourself and have you achieved it?
Francis Njenga, Nairobi, Kenya.

Lahm: My first goal was to become a professional footballer. I've achieved that and now I'd like to win the Champions League and a big tournament with Germany.

Bayern are missing too many chances. Do you think Luca Toni coming back will help the team in this aspect?
Felipe Arturo Videla

Lahm: Luca's goal scoring record is fantastic. We've been missing too many chances up front recently, therefore he couldn't come back at a better time.

I also play left-back, but recently I haven't been able to match my coaches' expectations. What are some drills to help me improve or certain skills coaches look for in a defender?
Matt Banica, 12, Whitby, Ontario, Canada

Lahm: The key is developing your game in both directions: in the build-up, joining the attack at the right moment and also in defence. You have to win the one-on-one situations and need the required pace and technique. These are the decisive factors for a defender.

What is the best moment in your career so far for Germany?
Francisco Xutuc, 35, Guatemala City, Guatemala

Lahm: There have been quite a few special moments and highlights. At the 2006 World Cup, it was the opening game against Costa Rica, when I scored, and also the semi-final against Italy, a disappointing defeat. At EURO 2008 the semi-final win over Turkey was the most emotional game.

I struggle to understand why Bayern has five strikers, yet only one is used with Van Gaal's current formation. Surely with two of the best wingers in the world supplying crosses you need more than one target to aim for?
Nick, Johannesburg.

Lahm: I can see your point, the way you describe it. In your system, a single striker wouldn't stand much of a chance against two central defenders. But the system we play this year is a 4-3-3 where both wingers are not restricted to playing wide and crossing into the box. Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben are attacking players who love to cut inside and go for goal themselves or confuse defenders with their runs. In that system, we don't have five strikers for one position, only three: Mario Gómez, Miro Klose and Luca Toni. Thomas Müller and Ivica Olić usually play wide, like Franck and Arjen.

Do you prefer to play on the right or on the left?
Federico, 28, Turin, Italy

Lahm: I've always said I prefer playing on the right. But I can play at a top level on both sides so I'm happy to play wherever the manager thinks it will bringing the team success.

How did you start out in football?
Sinan Kaya, 13, Deurne

Lahm: My first club was FT Gern. I joined through my parents and friends. My father played for them and a friend from nursery school took me to training once. I was five at the time. I joined Bayern when I was eleven years old.

What are the main differences between Van Gaal and Klinsmann?
Sambid Adhikari

Lahm: The biggest difference is experience. Louis van Gaal has been a manager for over twenty years and can draw from a deeper well of experience.

If you were to coach the Germany national team, who would the first player on the plane to South Africa next year?
Babu Mawa, Kampala, Uganda

Lahm: Germany has always had success as team and I don't think there is a star player. At kick-off, eleven players are on the pitch and try to win together.

How does it feel to be captain of Bayern?
Carla Lee, 19, Hong Kong

Lahm: It feels good and I think it's logical a player from Munich should lead FC Bayern on to the pitch. Many great teams have players who have come through the youth system or have been at the club for a long time as their captains. I'm thinking of Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, John Terry at Chelsea, Raúl at Real Madrid, as well as Puyol at Barcelona and Gary Neville at Man United.

What are Germany's chances of winning the World Cup?
Nizar Zrafi

Lahm: We are certainly among the countries who can challenge for the title. As the third-placed team from 2006 and runners-up from EURO 2008 our aim is to reach the final and win the cup.