Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm is relishing his return to Champions League competition after being unavailable for his club during most of the first half of the season.
The 31-year-old was sidelined for several months after fracturing his ankle in November.
Lahm returned to Bayern’s squad for their round of 16 home leg against Shakhtar Donetsk in March, but was an unused substitute during his side’s 7-0 victory over the Ukrainian champions.
The influential defender has since regained match fitness and is expected to start tomorrow’s Champions League quarter-final against FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão.
The German international is looking forward to his return and feels good about his side’s chances of progressing to the next round of the competition – despite their massive injury list.
“I feel good, and it feels nice to be back on the pitch and not spending anymore time just in the gym but on the training ground,” Lahm said.
“We’ve just had the international break, so I’ve had the chance to train for two full weeks and I feel very good. And it’s about time to get back into the rhythm.
“It’s a pity to have missed out on the round of 16 – that’s when [the competition] really starts – but it’s nice to be back for the quarter-finals. Being among the best teams in Europe is nice.
“We are confident enough to say that if we play our game, keep lots of possession and play attacking football, and don’t give our opponents many chances, then we will win.
“But [Porto] are a dangerous team, with a lot of quality in attack, and fast and technically strong players in their squad.
“We are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League so there aren’t any easy teams anymore.”
Programming note: FC Porto vs. Bayern Munich will be shown LIVE on Wednesday at 2:45pm EST on FOX Sports 2 and FoxSoccer2Go.
