This week sees two of the finest full-backs in the Champions League go head-to-head in Germany when Dani Alves squares off against Phillipp Lahm.
By Declan Whooley
While Alves has been majestic in Barca colours again this season, the Bayern Munich full-back has continued his remarkable consistency that has rightly seen him lauded as one of the outstanding defenders of his generation.
Not only are his defensive skills second to none, Lahm has established himself as a leader as captain of both his club and country, an unusual feat in today’s game.
Though right-footed, Lahm has spent periods of his career on the left flank without ever looking out of place. In fact cutting in on his stronger foot has often been used to devastating effect, but this season is firmly settled on the right hand side of the defence with David Alaba performing well on the opposite side.
Lahm won the Bundesliga twice with the Bayern youth side, even captaining them on the second occasion, but with Willy Sagnol and Bixente Lizarazu occupying the full-back positions, Lahm spent two seasons on loan with Vfb Stuttgart, even featuring in the Champions League against Man. Utd and finishing as the runner-up for the German footballer of the Year in 2004.
In action for Stuttgart in 2003
He returned for the 2005/06 campaign, but suffered a cruciate ligament injury during pre-season. He still finished the season strongly as Bayern won the league and he began to establish himself as a first-team player.
Owing to injuries, Lahm was featuring more often than not on the left-hand side, though it made little difference. Positionally astute and a serious attacking weapon for the Bavaria side, he was quickly becoming an internationally recognised player of real stature. He was named in the Euro 2008 and 2012 Team of the Tournament, with UEFA recognising his exploits on three different occasions.
He has also endeared himself to the home supporters for voicing his honesty, something which has cost him in the pocket. In 2009 Lahm was repotedly given the highest fine in Bayern’s history after giving an unauthorised interview where he criticised the transfer policy of the club and the “lack of game philosophy and strategic planning.”
Heartbreak against Chelsea in the 2012 Champions League final
Closing in on 100 caps for his country and already with five league titles, he would love to add the Champions League to his impressive silverware collection, and at just 29 years of age, time is still very much on his side.
