Former Dutch football legend Arjen Robben – who played for both clubs and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013 – has analysed the second leg between Vincent Kompany’s and Carlo Ancelotti’s teams.
Those who are concerned with statistics, there is a 62% chance that Arjen Robben is right. – Tomorrow, Wednesday, we will get the answer.
Read: Chelsea and Arsenal keep an eye on their legend Cesc Fabregas
Arjen Robben is an authority when it comes to matches between Bayern and Real Madrid. The Dutchman, who has worn the shirt for both big clubs, shared his thoughts on the quarter-final clash in an interview with Bayern’s official website. Robben, the man who has dominated countless Champions League nights, went through the keys to the second leg, named his favourite and touched on several other topics:
First match: “For me, Bayern was the best team. I think maybe the result was a bit meager. But this is still Real Madrid. The coach said the same thing: against them you have to be awake for 90 or 95 minutes and stay focused. Even when you think: ‘We’re leading 2-0, this is going well’ – then they can score out of nowhere. In football, a match is never over. Madrid is the best example of exactly that.”
Manuel Neuer: “Everyone speaks highly of Manuel Neuer. I was very happy for him, because I played with him for many years. For me, he has always been the best goalkeeper in the world. When he at his age – with all due respect, he is 40 after all – plays such a match in a Champions League quarter-final, he once again shows what incredible quality he possesses. But I wasn’t surprised at all. I just became the giant sheath on his behalf.”
Michael Olise: “I liked what I saw very much. That is also my position. He was really good – active, creative and with excellent ball movements. You can probably find some similarities. But one must always be careful with comparisons. I don’t really like them, because each player has their own style. Of course, there are things we have in common. But at the end of the day, he’s a different type of player than me. He’s doing very well. I’m a big fan and enjoy watching him.”
Vincent Kompany: “You can see that this is a team. Vincent Kompany has done an excellent job. They move back and forth as a unit. That’s exactly what characterizes a big team: how they run back and defend together. Right now, everything is working. Everyone knows what their task is. They have a plan and are superior in almost every phase of the game.”
The triple in 2013: “It’s hard to compare. It’s been 13 years, football has evolved – especially physically and in the details. We dominated for several years, also in Europe, with several Champions League finals and semi-finals. We won it once, but I think we could have won it one or two more times. We were a very good group with many players who had been together for a long time. We always had a core of players who knew the club perfectly – the ‘Mia san mia’ feeling, that feeling of playing for Bayern. It’s like a family. I think that’s the most important thing when you’re going to build something like this in a club. I recognize the same feeling in today’s team. We are not yet talking about dominance over several years, but at least this season they deliver. I’ve even said to some friends: For me, Bayern are the favourites to win the Champions League. It’s the way they play. That is impressive. I noticed it when I was in the stadium a few months ago against Brugge – that’s when I realised everything had fallen into place.”
The second leg: “Bayern have to try to impose their own game. They don’t have to change tactics. The plan has worked all season. The transitional defense must be well organized, and you must attack compactly. It’s about facing the fight with passion and conviction. You have to believe in it – and not be afraid.”
Mentality: “That’s the most important thing. And I see that the mentality right now is the right one. The team has a lot of experience from this type of match. Of course, there are some young players, but this team doesn’t feel fear or pressure at the moment.”
Real Madrid: “We always talk about the kings. It’s a huge club all over the world. They have won the Champions League more times than anyone else – that says it all. They are always chasing the best team and the best players. In the past, they had Galacticos. They’ve always had big stars like Cristiano, Kaká or Xabi Alonso.”
The Danger of Madrid: “Madrid can never be written off. I’m impressed that they always keep a cool head. They feel comfortable even when they’re deep defending – and suddenly they go into attack mode. Sometimes they just need one or two chances. You have to be aware of that. They have a lot of individual quality. But I think Bayern are the better team. At the same time, they also have individual players who can decide games.”
Memories: “I loved games like that. The bigger and more important the match was, the better I liked it. That feeling is still with me, even though I quit several years ago. When I watch a game like that, I go there in my head and feel like I’m still playing. Now I’m going to experience it like all other fans. The more time that passes, the fewer there are still playing. But there are still some. That is why I cheer for them with all my heart. I’m really happy when they win. If I have to single out one, it’s Neuer. This year he has another chance to win this title and I really hope he makes it happen.”
The supporters: “Bayern are playing at home with their own supporters behind them. That’s an added bonus. The stadium will cheer the team on.”
Divination: “Bayern are moving on. Because this is a stable team, and right now everything works from start to finish. They are a machine, and I think they will continue like this until the very end. But this is still football – anything can happen, such as a red card. We must be attentive and use all five senses for 95 minutes. If Bayern do that, from my point of view, there can only be one winner.”
Read on F7: Manchester United ready for talks with the “genius” after Michael Carrick’s loss to Leeds
