Bayern’s Arjen Robben fit to face Zurich
Posted Wednesday, August 17, 2011 by YAHOO Sport
MUNICH (AP)—Arjen Robben is fit to play against FC Zurich in the first leg of Bayern Munich’s playoff for the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Dutch winger was kept out of Bayern’s squad for its 1-0 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday, so he could recover from back and thigh problems.
Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes said Tuesday that Robben trained “very well” for three days and that it was “smart not to let him play in Wolfsburg.”
The Champions League final takes place in Munich this season and failure to qualify for the group stage would mean the club loses out on an estimated ?20 million ($29 million).
“Everyone is fully focused. As always, we’ll be fully prepared and we want to put on a good game,” Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said. “We need to achieve a favorable result. I think none of us would have anything against a 2-0 (win).”
Zurich came from behind with three minutes remaining to beat FC Basel 2-1 at the weekend and Heynckes said he was “really impressed” by what he saw.
“We know we’re meeting a competitive opponent,” the 66-year-old coach said. “It’s a creative team that plays good football going forward and that won’t by hiding in (Munich’s) Allianz-Arena.”
Heynckes added: “The Champions League is the cherry on the cake of European football. Of course we want to be there.”
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