Philipp Lahm - ever so versatile

Philipp Lahm

When Pep Guardiola took over the reins at the Allianz Arena , there was only one question in everybody’s mind. What else can he do with this brilliant Bayern Munich team? His penchant for beautiful football meant he was definitely going to tweak the Bayern squad.

Historically, he has always liked midfielders who are fast paced, slick in passing, can retain the ball and can switch the play easily. The signing of Thiago Alcantara was proof of that.

But what Guardiola has always done with his teams, is allow one midfielder to join the attack and the other one to sit back and try to break the opposition play. For that, he needed someone who could read the game very well and who could allow full backs to go forward and who could hold his defensive position as the opposition tried to counter attack.

Enter Mr. Lahm, who began his career as a right-footed left-back but went back to his natural position of right back when Bayern’s treble winning coach took over.

For Guardiola though, that one defensive midfield position was the most important one. Which meant he had to change the Bavarian rule book and break the ever reliable double pivot partnership of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez.

“Philip Lahm is perhaps the most intelligent player I have ever coached. He is at another level”

Most intelligent player for the most important position. The decision was very simple and pragmatic for Guardiola. Lahm, on the other hand has gladly accepted this new and challenging opportunity.

Guardiola’s decision to drop the more physical and towering Javi Martinez to accommodate Lahm initially caused a stir among the Bavarians. But Lahm’s performances in that position so far has proved that this is the merry way for Bayern Munich this season , with the talented Rafinha taking Lahm’s position at right back.

Against Manchester City in the recent Champions League encounter, Lahm, weighing 66 kg and standing “tall” at 5’7 , outplayed his more stronger and taller midfield counterparts Yaya Toure and Fernandinho both in attacking and defensive positions. There was a time when city did not even manage to touch the ball for about fifty seconds and finally having got the ball, Jesus Navas tried to counter but Phillip Lahm put in a perfectly timed sliding tackle to win the ball back. A perfect display of how to keep the ball and how to regain the ball when being countered.

Here is the link to that amazing footballing lesson taught to Manchester City by Bayern.

In a recent interview, further justifying his decision, Guardiola lavished some praise on Lahm.

“He understands the game. Not all players do. A lot of players understand his position. Philipp can play in all positions. Football is a game where people move and you have to decide in one second what’s going on in your position as well as all around the field, and what he decides in that moment is right.”

A good coach is one who can identify good players playing out of their favoured positions. Guardiola has certainly done that so far this season. Lahm has responded excellently and we would hope that he will continue doing so. Lahm has certainly allowed Schweinsteiger and Tony Kroos to play a more advanced role , who can join the likes of Muller, Ribery, Robben and Mandzukic in attack . If Guardiola sticks to this formation, we could very well see the making of yet another midfield maestro.

Phillip Lahm has got all the qualities to make him one of the most complete footballers in the world. The Bayern Munich captain has comfortably settled into the midfield. His 92% pass completion rate this season is quite astounding to say the least.

Lahm is certainly enjoying his new responsibility. We as football fans are just loving him in the midfield. Let us hope he keeps running tirelessly and keeps producing such stellar performances week in week out!