UEFA Champions League: Atletico Madrid are strong opponents and deserve respect, says Philipp Lahm

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm

Ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm said it is a privilege for him to play for the reigning Bundesliga football champions, also adding that his opponent deserves respect.

"We are seven points ahead of Borussia Dortmund before going into the last three Bundesliga games and we could confirm a fourth league title in a row after the next match against Gladbach," Lahm was quoted as saying by goal.com on Tuesday.

"Atletico have great individual players from back to front, like defender Diego Godin and forward Antoine Griezmann. They are a team with quite a low average age, a club who always develop and count on young players and they are strong opponents who deserve respect," he said.

Lahm praised the Spanish club and their depth in defence.

"It's no coincidence that Spanish football has dominated every international competition for a decade. It is attacking, intense, fluid football played at a high technical level. And in addition Atletico have Diego Simeone, a manager with a good defensive plan," the 32-year-old said.

"We know what we want and have planned accordingly. We will finish this season successfully and ideally with three trophies in the merry month of May," Lahm concluded.