Lahm: Bayern Munich can get better

Philipp Lahm has sent a worrying message to Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga title rivals by claiming the European champions can get better.

The league leaders are unbeaten this season and have a 10-point gap to second placed Bayer Leverkusen – a lead that could become 13 if they win their game in hand at Stuttgart on Wednesday.

Bayern have had to do without important members of their squad at different times during the campaign but they are getting close to having a fully fit squad, and Lahm believes that will make them tough to catch in the title race.

“(It is a) huge opportunity to extend our lead,” he told Kicker ahead of the Stuttgart game. “Then it would be hard to catch us.

“We have a mega squad, and if all come back, each player must know that he needs to maintain his performance at Bayern, whether in training or in a game.”

The 30-year-old also admitted a fully fit squad increases competition for places and Lahm knows it is his role as captain to ensure they stay together as a group.

“We always talk of harmony and good mood,” he added. “We will see now when everyone is fit, then everyone must think for the team.

“All professionals should be focused on the greater good, (and) if someone breaks out it will be my job to capture those.”