Lahm “Not Sad” About Kroos’ Departure

Bayern Munich captain Philip Lahm says he does not miss Toni Kroos, who left for Real Madrid this summer.

The German Bundesliga champions have struggled in the early days of the current campaign following the loss of their creative playmaker and with several squad members out with injury.

The ex-Germany international insists Kroos’ departure is not the cause of the Bavarians’ slow start to the season.

“I’m not sad that Toni’s gone – that’s football,” he told Kicker magazine. “Players come and players go. I’ve been around long enough not to let the sale of players get me down, even if Toni is an excellent player.”

Bayern signed Xabi Alonso from Real to help beef up its midfield last month. The Spaniard made his second appearance for the side in the 2-0 win at home to Stuttgart on Saturday and Lahm admits “With Javi Martinez, Thiago and Bastian Schweinsteiger out not for two weeks, but for a long time, the club needed him.”

“Bayern have so much quality and strength in depth they are difficult to weaken,” he added.

Saturday’s win was a much required boost for Pep Guardiola’s men ahead of Wednesday’s Uefa Champions League game against Manchester City.

Xabi Alonso is the Fifth Spaniard to Have Arrived at the Allianz Arena Since Pep Guardiola Took Over. Image: Getty.
Xabi Alonso is the Fifth Spaniard to Have Arrived at the Allianz Arena Since Pep Guardiola Took Over. Image: Getty.

Franck Ribery returned to the squad for the first time after recovering from the injury which ruled him out of the World Cup. The France forward capped his comeback with the second goal after Mario Gotze’s opener.

“It was important for me personally to be back with the team,” Ribery said. “I’m delighted I was able to play, and get a goal too. It was important for the team to get these three points.”

The win took Bayern’s points to 7; joint top with Bayer Leverkusen and a point ahead of rivals Borussia Dortmund.