Bayern’s Lahm on departed Kroos to Real Madrid: ‘We don’t miss Toni’



Toni Kroos’ summer transfer to Real Madrid has done no harm to German giants Bayern Munich, club captain Philipp Lahm claimed in Monday’s edition of soccer magazine Kicker.

“Bayern Munich have so much quality and strength in depth they are difficult to weaken,” said Lahm, as Bayern prepare to host Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“We don’t miss Toni, that’s football, players come and go. I’ve been in the game too long to miss anyone, even if Toni is a great guy,” he explained.

Kroos joined Real Madrid for EU€30 million (Dh142.5m) just a few months after the Spaniards had hammered the Bavarians 5-0 over two legs of a Champions League semi-final.

And Lahm feels the European champions are favourites to win the title again this time around.

“Real have invested a great deal of money to strengthen an already excellent side and they are undeniably the team to beat,” insists Lahm, who captained Germany to World Cup victory in 2014.

But the diminutive defender also feels Bayern are stronger than last season, pointing to key signings such as Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.

“We need to forget about that defeat (to Real Madrid), we have strengthened our team where it was needed.

“I want to win the Cup (Champions League) again, either this season or over the next three,” added Lahm, who lifted the trophy in 2013.

“And the team we have now are fully capable of that.”

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:

Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE

Game is on BeIN Sports

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

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Name: HyperSpace
 
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If you go

Flying

Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.

 

Touring

Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Manchester City transfers:

OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)

INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m 

ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho

ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
 

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

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