MUNICH • When their Champions League last-16 fixture was announced in December, Arjen Robben called it "the worst possible draw" for Bayern Munich.
He was at Liverpool's Anfield when, in the 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons, Chelsea fell maddeningly short in the semi-finals.
The first was decided by Luis Garcia's "ghost goal", and Robben prefers to leave it at "we'll never know" when asked if it went in.
The second was settled on penalties, one of which he sent too close to Pepe Reina, and proved to be his penultimate match for the club.
He remembers that as an "emotional game" and, both times, Chelsea were repelled by a formidable defensive blockade.
"At that time, they were really capable of being this cup-fighter team, also in the FA Cup," he said.
"In one or two games, they could really live up to it and perform. Just not the whole season, which was maybe too much. That was their biggest quality, they were there at the moment they needed to be there.
NO FOND MEMORIES
If you ask me what's the worst stadium for me, it's probably Liverpool. You always have your favourite opponent and there always has to be a negative one.
ARJEN ROBBEN, Bayern Munich winger, who has lost at Anfield with Chelsea and Real Madrid.
"Now it's changed and they (have) developed really well. The manager (Jurgen Klopp) has done a great job.
"Last year, they were in the Champions League final and, at the moment, they are top (of the Premier League). It's a long, long time ago that they won the league and that's the one they're dreaming of."
Recalling how he also suffered heartbreak as part of a Real Madrid side that were thrashed 4-0 by the Reds in 2009, he sounded a warning about Anfield to his teammates.
"If you ask me what's the worst stadium for me, it's probably Liverpool," the former Netherlands forward admitted. "You always have your favourite opponent and there always has to be a negative one."
The 35-year-old also believes the "atmosphere is probably one of the best you can imagine in Europe".
Naming Liverpool as among the favourites to win this term's Champions League, he added: "It's (the crowd) always like a big boost to them. But we're used to playing in big stadiums, so we just have to focus on ourselves.
"We know their qualities. In these top games there are not a lot of secrets. It's about the little details."
While Robben will play no part in tomorrow's first leg, having been out since November with a thigh injury, he feels Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk's one-game suspension will be a weak point the German champions have to exploit.
He said of his former national colleague: "He is a key player at a gigantic club, and he is the captain of the Netherlands team. He deserves all the compliments."
THE TIMES, LONDON, THE GUARDIAN
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Few of the 24 women's World Cup teams arriving in France for next month's tournament will bear the weight of expectation quite like reigning champions the United States. The
Soccer: Holders U.S. shrug off weight of World Cup expectations
Football: Sevilla put pressure on Spanish La Liga leaders
Jose Mourinho hinted Manchester United's players are simply not good enough to compete with Liverpool after being brushed aside 3-1 at Anfield on Sunday by the Premier League leaders. Mourinho
Mourinho concedes Man Utd incapable of living with Liverpool
Everton avoided a third consecutive Premier League home defeat as Kurt Zouma's header and a late goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned them a flattering 2-0 victory over Bournemouth at a rainy Goodison Park on Sunday. There were grumblings of discontent from the home fans as Everton were outplayed
I told them to play the best football they could and they did. Champions League final - Kane starts for Tottenham, Firmino in Liverpool XI Live; From the section European Football; Read
Harry Kane: Tottenham striker 'ready' for Champions League
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in. Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in. Soccer Football - Champions League - Liverpool
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season
english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/6/330292/Sports/Klopp-plays-down-Liverpool-fatigue-concerns-ahead-.aspx
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in. Sports Egyptian Football | Talents Abroad Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in (Photo
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season
Model Marisa Papen Courts Controversy Again With Nude Photo Shoot In Turkey "A lot of people will probably call us insane by doing these kind of 'stunts
Model Marisa Papen Courts Controversy Again With Nude Photo
Newcastle took a huge step towards securing their Premier League survival as Ayoze Perez sealed a 1-0 win against Leicester on Friday. Rafael Benitez's side moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Perez's first half header at the King Power Stadium. Newcastle's first away league win
Ayoze Perez heads Newcastle closer to safety in EPL
The 20-woman squad will be looking to edge a step closer to next year's tournament, with a win on June 8 moving the Lionesses to 16 points and put their destiny in their own hands. Arsenal's Beth Mead keeps her place in the squad, as does Fran Kirby, and Neville expects Russia to focus on England's attacking prowess.
PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match - L'Equipe. 1 Min Read. Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v Montpellier - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - February 20, 2019 Montpellier's
PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match - citizentv.co.ke
China to host 2023 Asian Cup after Korea withdraws 16/05/2019 16/05/2019 Oman Observer Seoul: South Korea have abandoned their bid to stage football's Asian Cup in 2023, authorities said, leaving the sole other bidders China with a free run to become hosts.
Cristiano Ronaldo will pay nearly 19 million euros — or $21.6 million — and is avoiding jail time after he pleaded guilty to four counts of tax fraud in Spain on Tuesday, multiple outlets have
Ronaldo fined $21.6M after pleading guilty to tax fraud - UPI.com
Norwich City have been promoted back to the Premier League after a three-year absence, while Sheffield United are on the brink of having their own promotion confirmed. Following their relegation in 2016, it has been somewhat of a stagnant couple of seasons for the Canaries, finishing eighth and 14th respectively.
Sheffield United promoted to Premier League - ProSoccerTalk
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen