Former England and Manchester City defender Micah Richards revealed the hardest stadium he ever had to play in during his professional career. While known now as the fun-loving foil to straight man Roy Keane, Richards had an impressive career that saw him win the Premier League and feature in several European contests.
Having played in several arenas with incredible atmospheres, including Anfield and Napoli's Diego Armando Maradona stadium, there is no shortage of hostile environments that would've sent shivers down the defender's spine. However, he has claimed that visiting one stadium left him having 'sleepless nights.'
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Richards also revealed how he was left red faced after one game against the man in question.
Richards Names the Allianz Arena as Hardest Stadium to Play In
The former Aston Villa man also praised the strength of the Bayer Munich teams he faced
Speaking during an appearance on the Match of the Day Top 10 podcast with Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker, the trio were discussing some of the best teams and players in Champions League history when Richards revealed that his trips to Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena were among the toughest in his career.
The 36-year-old also waxed lyrical about some of the talent available to the Bavarians during his encounters with them, explaining that coming up against the German giants left him unable to sleep.
"That team we played was just incredible. We got battered. We had them about three or four times. We went to the Allianz Arena. I told you before about it. We went there again and it was probably the hardest ground I've ever played at because they were just so good.
"Imagine Robben, Ribery on one side. Then you've got Lahm in midfield. Muller up top. Oh my gosh. It was...yeah. Sleepless nights."
Richards Reveals Admiration of Philip Lahm
The former City star spoke about just how good the ex-Bayern captain was
Philipp Lahm
IIn the same discussion, Richards also spoke highly of fellow full-back Philip Lahm, describing just how good he was and how in awe he found himself being on the same pitch as him. The World Cup winner is widely considered to be one of the greatest right-backs in football history, and Richards' sentiments only added to that.
"When I played against Lahm, oh my gosh, I was in awe of him," the pundit explained. "He's only about five foot...I don't even know. I don't want to disrespect him. Five-foot-seven, five-foot-eight.
"It was just effortless for him. Everything was easy. His touch, his technique, his passing. He was the main boy in that team."
Philip Lahm Bayern Munich Statistics
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All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt - accurate as of 23/03/2025.