Tonight's encounter with Borussia Dortmund (20:00 CEST) will be the seventh DFB Cup final for Bayern skipper Philipp Lahm. He competed in his first final ten years ago, with FCB securing a 1-0 victory - a result that Lahm certainly wouldn’t turn down on Saturday evening. A win would also allow Lahm to fully enjoy the "fantastic atmosphere" in Berlin.
Philipp Lahm is the type of player that shows pure professionalism in every situation. He always remains calm, collected and focused. You might believe that a player of his stature has learnt those traits over time, having nearly won everything there is to win: the World Cup, the Champions League, six Bundesliga titles and five DFB Cups. But with Lahm, it’s just part of his personality. "A final remains special, no matter how much success you've had in the past. But it's also not a given that you get to participate in these finals, even if it's always one of FC Bayern's goals. Obviously we want to win," explained the 32-year-old.
Five-time cup winner with Bayern
Lahm has already celebrated five DFB Cup victories with FC Bayern. The triumph in 2013 was perhaps the most rewarding for Lahm, since their 3-2 victory in the final over Stuttgart not only gave the Munich club the cup, but also the treble. The first time he got to lift the trophy will also remain a special memory for the former Germany captain. Claudio Pizarro scored to secure a 1-0 win for FCB against Eintracht Frankfurt, with Oliver Kahn still standing between the sticks. Since then, Lahm has added four more titles and experienced the fantastic atmosphere in Berlin. He has only lost one cup final, when Bayern suffered a 5-2 defeat in 2012 at the hands of Saturday's opponents Borussia Dortmund.
Last season, Dortmund eliminated Bayern from the cup in the semi-finals after a spectacular penalty shootout, during which Lahm himself lost his footing resulting in a complete miskick. "There are definitely better penalty-takers in our team than me," Lahm says today. "But I would obviously step up again if I have to. I'm ready to accept the responsibility." Courageous words from Munich's home-grown full back. Lahm has always known exactly what he wants.
Road to an international career via Stuttgart
When his development at his home club stagnated, Lahm opted for a different approach and joined VfB Stuttgart. His Bundesliga debut came when teammate Aleksandr Hleb was unable to be subbed on as his shin-pads were missing and manager Felix Magath instead opted to bring Lahm into the game. A starting appearance followed shortly afterwards. Lahm proved his versatility by showing world-class performances at both full back positions. Both FCB and Germany would have liked two Lahms in their squad, but cloning was not a possibility.
"For years, Philipp was the best right back in the world," said his former manager Jupp Heynckes. His successor Pep Guardiola even deployed Lahm in a central position, as he admired Lahm's control of the ball and vision. Lahm himself loves this central position, but would never demand to exclusively appear in midfield. As Bayern's skipper, he preaches and practices a flat hierarchy and a diplomatic approach.
Lahm taking "no rivalry" into clash with BVB
In 2018, he will end his club career just as determined and definitively as he had done with Germany in 2014 after winning the World Cup in Brazil. The continuation of his work with the club he loves is only logical. Despite having proved his analytical abilities to become a coach, Lahm seems to prefer a role in the management level of the club.
But before all that he is still looking to add further titles to his long and impressive honours list. The first chance will be on Saturday evening against Borussia Dortmund. Lahm does not feel as if there is a special rivalry between Bayern and Dortmund. He will go into the game "without having any thoughts of previous encounters". He is looking forward to the match, but at the same time he seems completely calm - typical Philipp Lahm.
