Sammer: Robben and Ribery can't do it on their own

Posted Wednesday, July 18, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has made it clear that Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery will have to understand that they need the support of their teammates in order to shine.

The players have both been criticized for their individualistic style of play, and although the 44-year-old has admitted that every team needs star players, he has insisted that they cannot do it all on their own.

"What you need in a team are leaders - ideally one leader - team players and individuals," Sammer was quoted as saying on the club's official website. "We need individuals such as Robben and Ribery. However, these players must understand they'll never make it on their own.

"You need team players holding the whole thing together. Players need to put themselves forward and accept responsibility."

The Bayern director then went on to discuss Robben's situation after he was whistled by his own fans last season, and stressed they will do their utmost to support the Dutchman.

"I have a very, very good impression of him," he said. "He’s very alert, focused, and dynamic. Naturally, we've talked. I signaled to him that in a situation such as what happened in the last match in Munich, no Bayern Munich player is on his own, and that we have to protect him even more.

"And I've also told him I'm expecting a huge amount of him this season."

Robben netted a hat trick in Bayern's 11-0 win over a Trentino Regional XI on Tuesday.