Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben spoke with the media at a press conference Monday ahead of Bayern’s UEFA Champions League semifinal clash with former club Real Madrid.
The speedy Dutchmen played at the Bernabéu from 2007 to 2009, registering 50 appearances and 11 goals.
“I played for Real and I know all about their obsession with ‘La Decima’,” Robben said. “I know how much it means to them, but they’re still waiting. They’re still waiting to win it, but I don’t think they’ll be hungrier than us. We won it last year, but we want to make history by winning it two years in a row.”
It has been nearly 12 years since Madrid captured European football’s greatest prize for the ninth time. They are still in search of win number 10.
In order for Real to advance to the final in Lisbon, they still have to go through Robben’s Munich at the Allianz Arena after winning the first leg 1-0 on a goal from Karim Benzema.
“We can promise Real aren’t going to have it easy here,” the savvy winger said. “They are in high spirits and brimming with confidence. They are having a great season but they know they aren’t going to have it easy here. We can promise Real that we aren’t going to roll over for them. I don’t buy the idea that they think the job is done.”
“I don’t think we’ll find it easier to attack if [Gareth] Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo play. I was surprised by how defensive Real were in the first leg, but there are no prizes for knowing that their biggest strength is on the counter attack.”
Both Bale and Ronaldo are expected to play for Tuesday’s big showdown.
