Lahm: "The prizes are handed out at the end"

Bayern München are one step further on the road to Milan. The German champions recorded a 4-0 win over Olympiacos and in doing so secured their ticket to the round of 16 with the final group-stage matchday yet to come. World Cup winner and Bayern captain Philipp Lahm spoke to DFB.de about his side's early qualification to the next round, the 'favourites' tag in the Champions League and upcoming contract extensions at Bayern.

Question: Mr Lahm, could Bayern have won this game by even more goals?

Philipp Lahm: We prefer to play with eleven against eleven. You can control the game more than when you're a man down. Our one-man disadvantage didn't hurt us so much this time as we were already in the lead and our opponents had given up somewhat, but we still would have preferred to have everyone on the pitch until the end. It was also obviously a shame for Holger Badstuber.

Question: How important is it to have wrapped up first place in the group with a game to spare?

Lahm: It's very important, as our next important game in the competition will be in the round of 16 in February or March. It's nice to have finished our job in the group already. We still have one away match to come, which we'll take seriously and try to win, as the other teams still have a lot to play for, but it's nice to be sure of qualification by mid or late November.

Question: Aside from Bayern München or Barcelona, who's capable of winning the Champions League?

Lahm: I think there are five or six teams who can win it, just as there are every year. It comes down to what happens in the deciding games, all the way from the round of 16 to the final in May. It's important to win the group, but the prizes are handed out at the end, and we know what knockout rounds can be like. It can always be tight in two games, and you have to produce your best performance. As I said earlier, there are five or six teams in with a shout.

Question: Do you get the impression that football is slowly returning back to normal after the terror in Paris?

Lahm: It's hard for me to say, as I wasn't in the stadium. I've always said that we need trust. Trust in politics and trust in the security services, as they know what they're doing. In that regard, I have a good feeling, but I have to say honestly that I had an uneasy feeling last weekend, as it was our first game in Paris. It's been a bit different since then, and we'll see how it pans out in the future, but I think we'd do well to trust the relevant authorities.

Question: How important is it that Jérôme Boateng appears set to extend his contract?

Lahm: Very important. He's a rock for us. He's developed incredibly and he's an excellent player who keeps taking on more responsibility. It's important to keep players like him at the club.

Question: Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer and David Alaba are all close to agreeing long-term extensions as well. Is that the right move from your point of view?

Lahm: There's absolutely no question that it's the right thing to do. These are key players who wear their heart on their sleeve and have FC Bayern in their hearts. The connection between them and the club is huge.

Question: Do all these contract extensions make you consider doing the same?

Lahm: I'm not considering it. I'm pleased to be playing at my age, but I won't sign another contract as a professional player.

Question: On Saturday, you take on fourth-placed Hertha BSC in the Bundesliga. Are you looking forward to taking on another side who are going strongly in the league?

Lahm: If I'm being honest, not quite yet. We've only just got the Champions League behind us. Now it's a case of recovering; we've got Thursday off, and then we'll start to focus on the weekend. We want to keep the three points in Munich, just as we try to do every three or four days.