No complacency for Robben despite big lead

Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Arjen Robben was proud after helping Bayern Munich claim a stunning Champions League win over Barcelona, but insisted they were not thinking of a Wembley final yet.

Bayern took a giant stride towards a third final in four years after thrashing Barca 4-0 in Tuesday night's semi-final first leg at the Allianz Arena, with a brace form Thomas Muller sandwiching goals from Robben and Mario Gomez.

Although the remarkable scoreline had not really sunk in for Robben immediately after the game, he hailed his side for their performance.

The former Real Madrid winger also insisted they would be keeping celebrations to a minimum with a second-leg trip to the Nou Camp still to come.

Asked if he could believe what happened, Robben told ITV: "Not really...I think we knew we were able to give them good competition, I think everybody said before it was a 50-50 game.

"We can be very proud, this team (Barcelona) has dominated Europe over the last five years and if you beat them like this in such terrific way I think you can be proud.

"But on the other hand, let's be quiet, enjoy this evening [Tuesday] but not any more, because there's still the second game to play and we have to be ready."

When asked if he had Wembley in his thoughts, the Holland international added on Sky Sports News: "No, no, no, but that's also the strength of this team, we keep focusing. There's always the next game. Let's stay concentrated, not talk too much and just play our football."

Barca may feel some key decisions went against them on Tuesday night, with appeals against Gomez for offside when he netted Bayern's second just after the break and a foul on Jordi Alba in the lead-up to Robben's strike falling on deaf ears .

Robben preferred not to comment on that though, telling ITV: "I don't want to speak about this. I want to speak about the way we played tonight [Tuesday], that needs to have the upper hand.

"We can be proud, we played a terrific game, everybody fought for every metre and we didn't give them any space to play. I think maybe they had one chance, maybe two good opportunities, but no more and in the end we really deserved the win."

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique refused to make any excuses for his side's loss and admitted their hopes of reaching the final were now "almost impossible".

He told television channel TV3: "There's not much you can say, they've been faster, stronger and played the better football.

"We mustn't talk about the referee, I don't think he had any influence (on the result).

"It's almost impossible for us.

"They've been better than us, we need to congratulate them and show our best in the return leg while thinking about finshing the league as soon as possibile. We are Barca, we must go out at the Nou Camp to win the game for our fans."

Barca could clinch the La Liga title this weekend if they beat Athletic Bilbao at San Mames and nearest challengers Real Madrid slip up at local rivals Atletico.