The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Robben

  • Robben out of Benfica tie

    Robben out of Benfica tie

    Bayern Munich   winger Arjen Robben is unlikely to feature in their Champions League quarter-final second leg with Benfica.

    Robben has been limited to 22 appearances this season because of injury issues and has not featured for Bayern since the March 5 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund because of an adductor problem.

    The Netherlands winger has spoken of his determination to return this season but he seems set to once again be reduced to the role of spectator as Bayern defend their 1-0 first-leg lead at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday.

    Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Stuttgart, coach Pep Guardiola said of Robben: “He is still injured. He is not expected to be fit next week.”

    Asked when the former Chelsea and Real Madrid player is likely to make his comeback, Guardiola replied: “I don’t know that.”

  • Robben: Bayern magic will always shine through

    Robben: Bayern magic will always shine through

    Arjen Robben has warned Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga rivals that the champions will always produce a “magic moment” after they stayed on course for yet another title by beating Stuttgart 2-0 on Saturday.

    The champions started 2015 in disappointing style with a 4-1 loss at Wolfsburg and then drew 1-1 against Schalke on Tuesday.

    Normal service was resumed at Stuttgart, though, with stunning strikes from Robben and David Alaba either side of half-time securing the points.

    In-form winger Robben took his tally to eight goals in his last nine games when he struck with a fine first-half finish and the Netherlands international felt Bayern’s clinical attack made the difference.

    “Stuttgart pulled everyone back and defended so it was important to score just before half-time,” Robben told reporters.

    “It put us in a good position and made the second half a bit easier. It was time we took three points, that was very important to us.

    “Stuttgart were very defensive and used their wingers as full-backs. You have to go in search of the gaps. The magic moment always comes, we always make chances – but you have to take your chances.

    “We scored from our first chance and that’s what you need in a game like that.”

    Bayern hold an eight-point gap over second-placed Wolfsburg and welcome Hamburg to the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

     

  • Robben rejects Van Gaal’s United proposal

    Louis van Gaal is expected to take at least one player from the Dutch national team to Manchester United but it will not be Arjen Robben.

    The Netherlands’ 3-0 win over Brazil in the FIFA World Cup’s third-place play-off on Saturday was Van Gaal’s last game in charge before he takes over at United and, afterwards, Dutch attacker Robben turned down an offer from the 62-year-old to join him at Old Trafford.

    However, Robben’s strike partner Robin van Persie, who is already on United’s books, hinted Van Gaal would be taking at least one Dutchman from Brazil to the Premier League.

    “Admittedly, sometimes I know more than you guys,” Van Persie told Dutch TV station NOS when asked if other Dutch national team members would be playing at United next season.

    After being dubbed Netherlands’ best player in their penalty shoot-out defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals by Van Gaal, central defender Ron Vlaar could be an option to move from Aston Villa to United.

    Stefan de Vrij of Feyenoord may also be targeted by Van Gaal as United look to replace long-standing central defensive pairing Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

    Robben was arguably Netherlands’ leading player of the tournament and was clearly one of Van Gaal’s favourites but the 30-year-old looks unlikely to leave Bavaria.

    “After the match he did ask me to come to Manchester,” Robben said.

    “I’m very happy with where I am now. I told [Van Gaal] that.”

    “Van Gaal is the best coach I’ve had, we’ve got a very special relationship but I will not make a transfer.

    “I’m at the right place at Bayern so that has nothing to do with Van Gaal or United.”

    Van Gaal has already signed Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera since taking over as United’s manager.

  • Milito: Robben is a devastating opponent

    Milito: Robben is a devastating opponent

    It’s well known that Netherlands have impressive attacking power – Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie; but it was the same with Belgium. I think Netherlands are a team that I had predicted could be a big surprise and in fact I’ve not been wrong so far.

    Robben is an impressive player, a devastating one. Netherlands will be difficult. They’re a team who spent the last four years doing a great job.

    They have already reached the final in previous World Cups, and they’re a team who have, in addition to a great coach, great players.  They can make the difference and win the game at any time.

    A semi-final against Holland is a tough match – but it could have been worse. But Argentina have had very positive results so far and I have a lot of faith in this team.

    Surprises in this tournament? In fact, not many. Colombia: James Rodriguez. I expected that would be his last game (vs Brazil), but they’re a great team and they have young and exciting players.

    Besides that, surprises? No, there are the usual teams; Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands …

    Belgium must learn, says Hazard

    Eden Hazard said Belgium must build on their performances at the FIFA World Cup after they were eliminated by Argentina on Saturday.

    Belgium’s World Cup campaign came to an end in Brasilia as Gonzalo Higuain’s eighth-minute strike helped Argentina to a 1-0 win and a place in the semi-finals against the Netherlands.

    Marc Wilmots’ men were seen as a dark horse to win the tournament but they were unable to make the breakthrough against Argentina at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia, though Belgium forward Hazard said his team-mates could leave South America with their heads held high.

    “The early goal was a big blow,” Hazard told FIFA.com post-match.

    “I’m very disappointed, but we’ve still had a very good World Cup – we achieved our original objective, after all.

    “We need to make our interactions more automatic, and to do so we’ll just have to knuckle down in training.

    “I know that we could have done much better, but we need to keep our heads up.”

    Hazard added: “We were taught a useful lesson, and it’ll be up to us to learn from it.

    “We’ve got a young, highly talented team. We need to look to the future. We’ve already done really well to get this far.”

  • Robben dismisses notion he feared suspension

    Robben dismisses notion he feared suspension

    Netherlands attacker Arjen Robben has dismissed any notion he feared a ban for diving, after admitting simulation against Mexico.

    The Bayern Munich star was felled for a stoppage-time penalty – converted by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar – as the Dutch secured a last-gasp 2-1 win over Miguel Herrera’s side to reach the quarter-finals.

    Costa Rica stand between the Dutch and a spot in the final four, but fears were raised when Robben admitted diving earlier in the Mexico game in his post-match interviews.

    However, FIFA have since confirmed no retrospective action will be taken, and Robben claims he was never worried about his involvement in the next game.

    When asked if he expected to be punished, Robben said: “No, not at all, why?

    “I was not afraid, no. I am an honest guy. It had no influence on the game.

    “I don’t change myself. That’s my personality.

    “I think it’s good. I apologised for one stupid action, but it didn’t have an influence in the game.

    “We had two clear penalties, one was given. That is it. I don’t think we should talk about it any more.”