Bayern captain Oliver Kahn discusses Luca Toni, personal “alarm bells”, Luca Toni and the business of collecting titles at the club press meet.
Question: In the wake of the Stuttgart game, do you believe FC Bayern are already German champions?
Oliver Kahn: That’s difficult to answer. I really don’t think so. And we shouldn’t be concerning ourselves with when we take the title, just making sure we win it at all. Of that, I’ve no doubt. The question of “when” shouldn’t be in our heads.
Question: Are you worried that on Saturday you might be deprived of one of your three possible titles?
Kahn: I’m zero point zero concerned about that eventuality. I’m very grateful as it is that we’ve had such a great season so far - in contrast to last season, where we finished a mediocre campaign in fourth. We’re looking good for one title at least this time out. At the start of the season, I said that would be wonderful. Anything more is a bonus. So I don’t feel the fear, I’m just thankful the season is going so well.
Question: Saturday will be your seventh cup final. Does it still mean anything special to you?
Kahn: There are certain things in football that never become routine, things you never get used to or tired of. The cup final is always a great occasion, with an electric atmosphere. You always look forward to it, and you’re always really glad to be part of the proceedings at the final in Berlin.
Question: Is the cup the hardest title to win?
Kahn: In what sense the hardest? For me, the situation is nothing new. But you saw in Getafe how a cup game can hang by a thread. You also need a bit of luck at the right moment. It’s about your form on the day, about yellow and red cards, about fresh injuries. There are so many factors involved, you need to stay focussed all the time on what’s coming at you, and never take anything for granted.
Question: How’s your neck problem?
Kahn: Well, I took a break as a precautionary measure. I was having cervical spine trouble the week before, and thought it was flaring up again. But it was nothing, really. I could train fully all week.
Question: What do you think about Luca Toni - he’s in some form?
Kahn: He’s a poacher, a goalgetter. As typical as they come. He’s the complete penalty-box player, always in the right place at the right time. Goalscorers in the Luca Toni mould are few and far between. He doesn’t need many opportunities, and he puts them away. He’s netted over 30 goals this season. That’s an excellent return. His attributes as a striker are phenomenal.
Question: Dortmund lost again on Wednesday. Can they deny Bayern victory in the cup?
Kahn: It’s a final. Nothing that came before matters - whether we beat them 5-0, whether they’re on a bad run. We can’t take victory for granted. Dortmund have nothing to lose, even less now than before. Things can happen in a final that you wouldn’t have dreamed of. We have to focus on the job in hand, and forget everything else. If anything, the mood in training has been almost too laid-back and happy-go-lucky. That’s the kind of thing that sets off alarm bells with me.
Question: What’s more important to you - the DFB Cup or the UEFA Cup?
Kahn: That’s a hard one to answer. If I said the UEFA Cup, Saturday’s headline in the papers would be, ‘Kahn doesn’t take the cup seriously”. As a player, you then find yourself in an odd situation. The fact is, the next game is always the most important.
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