Lahm vows to begin Bayern fightback
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
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Philipp Lahm says "it is not too late" to save FC Bayern München's UEFA Champions League campaign but knows the German giants have to dominate Maccabi Haifa FC and work together to turn their season around.
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Philipp Lahm's frustration at FC Bayern München's difficult season so far has been made plain over recent weeks. But as they prepare to face Maccabi Haifa FC with UEFA Champions League elimination a very real prospect, the club vice-captain is taking a positive approach, declaring: "We have to show that we are Bayern München and we will win this game."
Four-point deficit
Bayern sit third in Group A, four points behind second-placed Juventus, and to go into their Matchday 6 trip to Turin still with a chance of reaching the first knockout round, Lahm's side have to beat the Israeli champions and hope the Bianconeri do not prevail at leaders FC Girondins de Bordeaux. "Of course tomorrow I will be a Bordeaux supporter," Lahm said, though he knows the side lying seventh in the Bundesliga after three straight league draws need to pick up their own game against opponents without a point in the group.
Tacking control
"This is a very important game for us and we have to absolutely focus on ourselves to win," the 26-year-old defender said. "Haifa have good players. We have to show from the beginning who is the boss on the pitch. We have to show there will be nothing to gain for them in this game."
Boost
Not since 2002/03 have Bayern fallen at the UEFA Champions League group stage, and then there was the consolation of domestic dominance to the extent that they ended 16 points clear in the Bundesliga. This time, though, the German giants could do with a European boost to improve reinvigorate their league campaign, as Lahm acknowledges.
'Not too late'
"We feel the pressure, but we know right now nothing is decided, it is not too late," the German international said. "But we have to work together now. We have to show that we really are a team. We are talking a lot at the moment and we know we have to support each other. We need success now. If we win, we will gain confidence. If we are confident again, we will win games. It is that easy. The players know what it is all about now – it is an all or nothing game."