Philipp Lahm believes defensive solidity will be key if Bayern Munich are to prevail against PSG in the Champions League semi-final.
Earlier this month, Bayern Munich booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a dramatic 4-3 win over Real Madrid, advancing 6-4 on aggregate to set up a clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Club legend Philipp Lahm was impressed by Bayern’s attacking display in that tie, but believes he also saw defensive weaknesses that could prove costly against the French champions.
“They (PSG) have incredible individual quality and are the defending champions. Above all, [Bayern] must be very, very solid defensively,” Lahm told Bulinews.com and other media at a roundtable ahead of Bayern Munich’s first-leg clash with PSG on Tuesday night.
“Bayern are scoring goals both in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, but there is a danger against PSG defensively. They (PSG) have incredible attacking power, so that will certainly be a decisive factor. Defensively, they need to stand firm and defend well.”
One particular concern highlighted by Lahm is Bayern’s tendency to rely on one-versus-one defending instead of a more zonal structure.
“They have unbelievable quality in attack, but they often defend one against one, which can be dangerous against top teams like PSG. If you don’t have the direct support of your teammates, I see a certain danger in the Champions League matches against PSG,” said Lahm.
Lahm himself lifted the Champions League trophy as Bayern captain in the club’s historic treble-winning 2012/13 season.
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