Backheel Breakfast: Welcome back, Philipp Lahm

Bayern Munich are coasting at the top of the Bundesliga, are in control of their Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk and are in the quarterfinals of the DFB-Pokal. They’ve done all of this quite comfortably without Philipp Lahm, who is probably the best defensive player in the world and possibly the best not named Messi or Ronaldo, period. And now he’s back.

After a nearly four-month layoff following an ankle fracture, Lahm is back in full training, and he could be ready in time to face Shakhtar in Champions League this week. Bayern’s captain and four-position utility man gives Pep Guardiola infinite options for what to do with his team, and Pep will certainly take them by coming up with formations no one else has ever conceptualized.

Welcome back, Philipp. We missed you.

Aston Villa fans staged a pitch invasion when they beat West Brom in the FA Cup to secure a trip to Wembley, and the FA might charge the club with something for it. (BBC)

Hey, check out Cardiff City’s cool new crest! (CardiffCity.co.uk)

Rafa Benitez is snubbing broadcasters who correctly point out that he’s a jerk to the media who is also bad at substitutions. (ESPN FC)

A Watford supporter is in critical condition after being attacked at Wolves. (Guardian)

Silvio Berlusconi might agree to take on an investor who would gradually take control of AC Milan, but only with a clause that allows him to buy them back in the event of mismanagement. (Football Italia translating La Repubblica)

Martin Skrtel took a nasty fall on his head and neck on Sunday, but Brendan Rodgers says he’s okay. (BBC)

Angel Di Maria is moving to a new house after someone tried to rob his old one. Here’s some poetry about it! (The Busby Babe)

Federico Mattiello had successful surgery after suffering a horrible leg break against Roma. (Football Italia)

Callum Hamilton on how Rangers supporters kept Mike Ashley out and stabilized the club. (Soccer Gods)

Luyang Syvanen on what needs to change to ensure African football’s upward trajectory. (In Bed With Maradona)

Swiss Rambler on Liverpool’s finances. (Swiss Ramble)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

Manchester United aren’t keeping Javier Hernandez and Real Madrid aren’t buying him, so every fringe European EPL team wants him. (Daily Star)

And what are United going to add? Oh, just £90m worth of big name talent. (Metro)

Arsenal are willing to shell out nearly £30m for Palermo superstar Pablo Dybala. (Fichajes)

Real Madrid went down against Athletic Bilbao. (Managing Madrid)

Kaka rescued a draw in Orlando City’s debut against NYCFC and David Villa. (SB Nation)

Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins wrecked the Revs. (SB Nation)

Barcelona destroyed Rayo, and Lionel Messi was the star. (Barca Blaugranes)

Napoli threw away two points against Inter. (SB Nation)

Atléti and Valencia drew 1-1, and now look incapable of catching the big two. (AS)

Bayern struggled, but still beat Hannover. (Bavarian Football Works)

Brazil vs. Germany (1:30 p.m.) - Because you need to know what kind of trouble the USWNT is in.

Lazio vs. Fiorentina (2 p.m.) - With Napoli and Roma looking far from brilliant recently, this game matters a lot.

Manchester United vs. Arsenal (3:45 p.m.) - A great FA Cup tie, though it’s a bit of a shame they meet this early.

Cordoba vs. Getafe (3:45 p.m.) - Technically a La Liga match!

Juventus vs. Sassuolo (4 p.m.) - Sure whatever Juventus game wheeee.

Estudiantes vs. San Lorenzo (8 p.m.) - An Argentine Primera game between two Copa Lib teams that’s free on YouTube.