Lahm lauds team-mates for return appearance
Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm thanked his team-mates for easing him back into competitive football, after a four-month layoff.
Lahm was a late second-half substitute in Bayern's 4-0 win at Werder Bremen to consolidate their significant Bundesliga lead - which is 14 points - in his first appearance since November, when he suffered an ankle injury.
The retired Germany international said Bayern's comfortable lead at the Weserstadion - they were 3-0 up when Lahm was introduced in the 82nd minute - allowed him to pick up some minutes.
"It was great for me to be back out on the pitch again after such a long period on the sidelines," Lahm said, as reported by Bundesliga.com.
"I have the team to thank for that because if the game had been a bit tighter I don't think I'd have come on.
"We have to win our games and it'll be good when everyone starts returning to action again after the international break.
"That'll give the coach a lot of options and it's also important that the players come back.
"We hope to stay in the running for all competitions for a long time yet. That'll mean we have a lot of games, which means it'll be good to have everyone back.
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"It's part and parcel of the game for some players to be dissatisfied if they're not playing, but we're at a top team and we need a big squad.
"We've seen that over the last few weeks and we saw it again today."
Bayern host Borussia Monchengladbach on March 22, before the international break.