When our positioning and ball game and passing is not that good, then my game is struggling as well. I can score from set pieces and so on, but I have to be involved in the combinations, make my runs without the ball, go deep.
When we talk my biggest influence, I have to say Van Gaal. He threw me in the deep end.
I know that I make technical mistakes from time to time. It's one of the aspects of my game that I've been working on for years. I think I've managed to reduce the number of those technical mistakes to a minimum, but occasionally, they happen. On the other hand, I do have moments of technical brilliance.
I don't take the ball in the middle of the pitch and dribble past six guys.
You have to adapt and find your niche, in terms of the type of player you can become, both on and off the pitch. I always knew I'd have no chance against a 1.90m, 90kg defender in a duel, so the key is to avoid these situations altogether. You have to pick your space and time.
I like playing Italian teams. To me, they are the fairest sportsmen of them all. I don't agree with the Italy stereotypes - I trust in what I have experienced and witnessed.
When the team's not playing well offensively, it's always a problem for me because I'm not an individualistic player.
I will always try to stay on the right path, listen only to my coaches and my inner voice. If there is good advice from journalists, I will take that as well.
Van Gaal was always very intensive with his tactics. You had to work more with your head than your legs.
Luck and misfortune are closely intertwined.
No player can rest on his laurels.
I like to be active in space in behind the opposition's midfield. That's where I can hurt the opponent most of all.
There's no club out there that is really a step up when you play for Bayern Munich. At most, you can join a club that acts at the same level.
When you play for Bayern Munich and you are important for the team, there's no better club out there.
There is no B-Team at Bayern Munich.
I personally feel that, at Bayern, the sporting aspect, the feeling with the fans in Munich and the appreciation from the fans, is unique here. Those are the most important aspects for me.
You cannot plan for the Champions League: the competitors are always overwhelming. It is a big new challenge every year.
Every good, successful player, especially an attacking player, has a well-developed sense of space and time.
Every sportsman wants success. It is very important.
Team spirit is paramount - each of our own egos has to take a back seat. That applies to me as well as everyone else.
