Bayern coach Pep Guardiola took the unusual step of handing Philipp Lahm a note during the game with Ingolstadt on Saturday. - © © imago / ActionPictures
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola took the unusual step of handing Philipp Lahm a note during the game with Ingolstadt on Saturday. - © © imago / ActionPictures

Lahm: 'Guardiola told me to score!'

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With around an hour played in FC Bayern München’s match at home to Bavarian neighbours FC Ingolstadt and the score still tied at 0-0, Pep Guardiola grabbed a pen and paper, scribbled some instructions and handed the note to captain Philipp Lahm.

FC Bayern München 2-0 FC Ingolstadt 04

Goals: 1-0 Lewandowski (65'), 2-0 Lahm (75')

The Bundesliga leaders duly went on to win 2-0, with the 32-year-old captain getting on the scoresheet himself. Speaking after the final whistle, Lahm explained what was in Guardiola’s message, and analysed Ingolstadt’s bold display at the Allianz Arena.

Question: Philipp Lahm, congratulations on being Herbstmeister (mid-term leaders). What significance does that title have for you?

Philipp Lahm: It’s always nice to be top of the table over the Christmas period and into the New Year. It gives you a good feeling. We want to stay right at the top too.

Question: Were you surprised by Ingolstadt’s attacking strategy?

Lahm: We weren’t actually surprised because we were prepared for them to come at us. We just had some difficulties and they played really well. They played in a similar way to the way we do when we’re not in possession. They did it superbly, so deserve a lot of credit for that.

'We can't rotate as much as we'd like to'

- © gettyimages / Alexander Hassenstein