Philipp Lahm has revealed how former Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola's move to consult his players on tactics seriously backfired against Real Madrid in the 2014 Champions League semifinal.
With Bayern trailing 1-0 to Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid side from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, Guardiola, in his debut season with the club at the time, asked the key members of his squad how they thought the side should play in the return game.
"He called six of us to him before the game and asked how we wanted to play," Bayern captain Lahm told Zeit. "Back then Pep Guardiola believed the players must feel comfortable. Therefore, he agreed to play how the team wanted."
Guardiola, now in charge of Manchester City, was strongly criticised after the second leg for his choice of tactics as Bayern suffered their heaviest home defeat in European competition, losing 4-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate.
However, Lahm defended Guardiola for his role in the debacle.
"After that defeat, it was portrayed like his system didn't work. However, in reality, it really wasn't his system at all. Everyone should have been able to spot that never could have been Pep's game," Lahm said.
According to Lahm, Guardiola learnt his lesson and never chose to consult his players again about tactics.
"And he'll probably never do it again," Lahm said.
Lahm, 33, wrapped up a record-equalling eighth Bundesliga title at the weekend and has only three more league games before he retires at the end of the season.
Lahm was expected to take up a position as Bayern's sporting director upon his retirement but said president Uli Hoeness' presence at the club had been a factor in him deciding to turn down the role, suggesting that the 65-year-old was not quite ready to hand over sufficient control to him in the organisation of team affairs.
Asked about a potential conflict with the club president, Lahm said: "No, not anymore. I'm not one to bear a grudge. My feeling was that Uli Hoeness is still so full of zest that initially there isn't a place for me."