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Tuesday November 3, 2009

Bayern may miss ‘Robbery’, admits Hoeness

BERLIN: Team manager Uli Hoeness said on Sunday Bayern Munich are not the same without their playmakers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben as they prepare for their crucial Champions League showdown with Bordeaux.

Bayern are third in the Group A table and need to take points off the French side today to keep their dreams of reaching the knockout stages alive after a 2-1 defeat in France on Oct 21.

Robben and Ribery — who the German media have labelled Robbery due to their ability to unlock defences — are both struggling with injury, but Dutch star Robben may be fit to face Bordeaux said coach Louis van Gaal.

“I am not normally someone who is concerned about injuries,” admitted Hoeness.

“But Bayern without Franck Ribery or Arjen Robben is not the same team.

“When they return, we will return very quickly to a higher level.”

Bayern are fifth in the German League after their 0-0 draw with Stuttgart on Saturday with Ribery out for at least another month with a persistent knee injury.

Robben has recovered remarkably quickly from his knee operation at the start of last month and Van Gaal said he is likely to play him today at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

“I preferred to rest him against Stuttgart and save him for the match against Bordeaux,” said Van Gaal. — AFP

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