Philipp Lahm has a big goal. The DFB Cup final will be staged in Berlin on 27 May, and the FC Bayern skipper wants to finish his career at the Olympic Stadium. "It would be a nice conclusion. The atmosphere there is always fantastic. I've played many finals there and was successful in most of them," the 33-year-old said two days before the semi-final encounter with Borussia Dortmund, which kicks off on Wednesday at 20.45 CET.
Lahm has contested seven DFB Cup finals, winning six of them. The Munich-born full-back aims to make it to his eighth final in the German capital. The German record champions have to clear one more hurdle on the road to Berlin, but Lahm is full of respect for the opponents they face on Wednesday.
'It starts from scratch'
"Dortmund are an incredibly talented team, especially in attack. We'll have to give it 100 percent," Lahm demanded. Bayern crossed swords with the Ruhr valley outfit in the Bundesliga a few weeks ago, posting a clear-cut 4-1 victory. However, Lahm issued a warning: "It starts from scratch."
The 33-year-old is fired up for the "top clash" between the two "top teams" in Germany: "That makes it thrilling and interesting. We've met in the cup every year since 2012, which reflects the exceptional positions of both teams," declared the world champion.
FCB leave nothing to chance
Lahm has contested more cup matches against Borussia than against any other opponents, facing Bayern's big rivals in six of his 57 cup matches. All of them were great matches, so Lahm is certain the Bavarians will give their everything despite the heavy workload in the last few weeks: "We can make it to the final in Berlin. If you're not motivated in this situation you have the wrong job."
Lahm is fired up, leaving nothing to chance. "You practice a penalty in training from time to time," the Bayern captain revealed, but added: "We don't want to let it come to that!" Lahm wants to book a ticket to Berlin as early as possible to contest his eighth cup final at the Olympic Stadium.
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