Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm: "It was very emotional"
It is safe to say that Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm enjoyed winning his eighth Bundesliga title, celebrating with the travelling supporters after his side's rampant 6-0 victory away to Wolfsburg on Saturday.
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Speaking after the final whistle, the 33-year-old, who will retire at the end of the season, discussed the triumph as well as his thoughts on winning another league crown.
Question: Philipp Lahm, how confident were you that Bayern would win the title on Saturday?
Lahm: You can never assume you're the champion until you've actually won it. But after we saw Leipzig's result shortly before our own kick-off we knew we wanted to secure the title today.
Question: You sealed Bayern's 27th German championship with a 6-0 triumph. Was it important to have dominated the game in such a way?
Lahm: It's nice to win by a scoreline like that, but it's not decisive. It was important to put the title to bed at the first opportunity we had to do so. We wanted to win the league today.
Question: Was the margin of victory a way of making a statement after the disappointments of the last couple of weeks?
Lahm: No, for us the important thing was just to play well and to win.
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Question: What were the celebrations like in the changing room after the final whistle?
Lahm: We let our hair down! We've had a lot of midweek matches where there was nothing to celebrate, so that's why we celebrated today. If you've got something to celebrate, then you should. Last week I said that winning the Bundesliga title isn't something you can take for granted, and it's something you should always bear in mind.
Question: This is now your eighth Bundesliga title. Where would you rank this one alongside all the others?
Lahm: The first ones are so long ago I can't even remember them now [laughs]! It was only a matter of time before we sealed the championship after Leipzig's draw. We only needed to win one of our remaining four games. For me it's been great and it's always special to win the Bundesliga. It was very emotional for me to celebrate with the fans, and a lot of the Wolfsburg players congratulated me on my great career. You can't help but get sentimental at that.
Watch: Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti reflects on winning a maiden Bundesliga title
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Question: Was this perhaps the most emotional title for you, as it's your last one?
Lahm: It's always difficult to compare. You never forget the first title, and for me that was in 2006. When I lift the Meisterschale as captain on the final day of the season then I'm sure things will get emotional again.
Question: Even at the age of 33 there was a first for you today – or had you chanted with fans with a megaphone before?
Lahm: Yes, that was my first time. I can't remember having done that before. The entire away stand was asking for me to do it, so I had no choice! I don't enjoy being centre stage, but sometimes you just have to do it.
Question: There are just three games until the end of the season, at which point you will end your career. Have you set yourself any personal targets?
Lahm: Just to enjoy it all, every training session, every rondo, every cross. I just want to enjoy these last three weeks.
Question: The expectations are always high at Bayern, and this season you have 'only' won one trophy. How do you assess the campaign?
Lahm: I'd say it was ok. It can't have been a bad season if you won the Bundesliga. Sometimes it feels like it's a given, but it's not. We always aim high and just a couple of weeks ago we were still in with a shout of winning the treble. Then we got knocked out by a good opponent and suddenly everything is called into question. That's just the way it is, it's part of the game. But obviously we set out to win more than one title.
Question: Your last game will be against Freiburg. Have you already organized tickets for your friends and family?
Lahm: I'm playing by the rules with my allotted tickets. I don't know if there'll be a farewell game for me, I haven't spoken to the club about it yet.
Question: You are heading straight back to Munich now. Has a party been planned? Where will you celebrate?
Lahm: Nothing was planned in advance as far as I know, but we'll definitely go somewhere. You have to celebrate these things when you can!
Alexander Barklage reporting from the Volkswagen Arena
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