After a restful seven-week holiday Philipp Lahm sat down in the FCB.tv studio in the Säbener Strasse performance centre. “It was a lovely time with my family,” said the tanned and deeply relaxed Bayern skipper: “And the EURO topped it off.” Lahm watched all Germany matches “from kick-off to the final whistle,” wearing a Germany jersey all FCB internationals on duty for the world champions signed before the tournament.
In the meantime Lahm maintained his fitness, mostly by playing golf at first. “All players had a running plan for the last few weeks,” revealed the 32-year-old, “it's not as if we returned on Monday after seven weeks of putting our feet up and eating lots of food.”
The Germany jersey is back in the wardrobe again, pre-season training under new FCB head coach Carlo Ancelotti has begun. Lahm has a “very, very positive impression” of the 57-year-old: “An experienced coach who's won very, very many titles,” commented the Bayern captain, who visited Ancelotti in his office for a first serious talk on Monday. “A very likeable person,” added Lahm.
'We have reason to look forward to Renato'
Lahm has yet to meet Renato Sanches as the new FCB signing will only take up the squad programme in about three weeks. However, Lahm is impressed by the qualities the freshly-crowned European champion has displayed so far. “The boy has skills, otherwise he wouldn't have played a crucial role in the national team. We have reason to look forward to Renato.”
Sanches has what it takes to make it at FC Bayern, according to Lahm. In addition, the 18-year-old already has Champions League experience. The fans will take heart from the two new signings Sanches and Mats Hummels and the two-time World Coach of the Year Ancelotti. “Our goals are the same as every year,” said Lahm.