Robben backs Bayern to have a very slight edge over the Italian champions.
Bayern Munich’s defeat against Inter Milan in 2010 was devastating. Bayern were on the verge of the club’s first ever treble and first European crown after 9 years. Unfortunately, star man Franck Ribéry was suspended for the match and partner in crime Arjen Robben could not carry the burden alone as the Bavarians were blunted in an eventual 2-0 loss to José Mourinho’s men, who went on to win a treble of their own.
15 years later, Bayern face Inter again in the Champions League. Though this tie takes place in “only” the quarterfinals of the competition, this is still a huge match for Bayern. Speaking to FC Bayern’s official website after their joint efforts helped win Bayern the Beckenbauer Cup, Robben was again forsaken by Ribéry (who had not joined the interview yet. So he had to discuss the current strength of this Bayern team and, inevitably, the tie against Inter Milan on his own:
“The Champions League quarterfinals will be very interesting against an Italian team that is particularly well-prepared defensively. It’s always difficult to beat Inter. But things are looking good in the Bundesliga too; they’re six points ahead of Leverkusen. Of course, it’s easy to say that from the outside, but: I don’t see any other champions than Bayern.”
Interviewer: This is a massive departure from last season, where Bayern lagged severely behind current defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. Was Robben surprised by this turnaround?
“For me, this is above all a huge compliment to the new coaching staff: They’re well-prepared, there’s enough quality in the team, everything is working well, there’s a lot of energy,” the former Real Madrid winger said. “And I think you can feel a positive sense of community within the team as well. [Bayern head coach] Vincent Kompany and his colleagues are doing a really good job!”
Interviewer: Will Bayern succeed in overcoming Inter?
“We’ll see,” the speedy Dutchman mused. “It will be tight, it will be close. Bayern may have a slight advantage, but their opponent’s defense is very, very strong. They’re a very dangerous opponent, even on the counterattack.”
This will be the second time Bayern faced Inter since the 2010 UCL final, with Inter knocking Bayern out again in the 2010/11 season, via away goals. This will be Bayern’s chance to finally overcome the Italian giants in a knockout match in Europe’s elite competition.
