Against Dutch, Spain is wary of Robben redemption

Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas attends a training session at the Atletico Paranaense training center in Curitiba, Brazil, Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Spain will play in group B of the Brazil 2014 World Cup. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Against Dutch, Spain is wary of Robben redemption — If there is one player Spain is wary of before its World Cup opener, it is Netherlands forward Arjen Robben.

Friday's Group B game not only offers a rematch of the 2010 final won by Spain, but a chance of redemption for the Dutch winger.

Robben was put clean through to face Iker Casillas at Soccer City but saw his effort deflected wide by the Spain goalkeeper in the final's best scoring opportunity until Andres Iniesta netted the extra-time winner.

Spain defender Javi Martinez said that moment has stayed with his Bayern Munich teammate, so the defending champions will be keeping a close eye on Robben in Salvador.

"Robben shakes his defender so well to find space, so we're going to have keep tabs on him," Martinez said on Wednesday.

While Martinez also pointed to Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder's ability to decide games, Spain knows that it's Robben who is the most eager to make up for his famous miss.

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, saves a ball during a training session of the Spanish national team at the Atletico Paranaense training center in Curitiba, Brazil, Monday, June 9, 2014. Spain will play in group B of the Brazil 2014 World Cup. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

"(Robben and I) have talked about that moment," Martinez said. "It was a very tough moment for the Netherlands and especially to him, with that chance against Iker."

With Chile and Australia also in Group B, both Spain and the Netherlands know that a loss in the group opener would leave either team in a bind. Spain, though, lost its opening match against Switzerland in South Africa four years ago but rallied to win its first World Cup.

"If you lose the first game you cannot afford another slip-up," Martinez said. "We want to start on the right foot, especially since it gives you even more confidence starting with a victory from your first game."

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has reiterated that his team needs to be more aggressive inside the area. That message has certainly gotten through to his players, which will go up against a Dutch team that plans to use five defenders to combat its possession game.

Spain attributes its 3-0 Confederations Cup final loss to Brazil last summer to lacking that particular quality.

"Brazil was more aggressive than us," Martinez said. "Every team is very motivated to beat us so if we don't go out 100 percent focused than whichever team it may be can cause us problems." ( Associated Press )

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Arjen Robben Vs Franck Ribery

Robben v Ribery put on hold - Arjen Robben will miss out on the chance of playing against his Bayern Munich team mate Franck Ribery after pulling out of the Netherlands squad for Wednesday's friendly against France in Paris.

Robben has stayed with the Dutch squad for the World Cup warm-up match but has a thigh injury suffered in last weekend's Bundesliga win over Schalke 04.

Bayern's Arjen Robben of the Netherlands celebrates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Schalke in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, March 1. 2014. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)

 

Frank Ribery (R) of Bayern Munich challenges goalkeeper Diego Lopez of Villarreal during their Champions League Group A soccer match in Munich, November 22, 2011. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski  

"It is not feeling good and it is better not to take any risks," he told reporters.

The Dutch football association said on Tuesday it had called up Ajax Amsterdam captain Siem de Jong in place of Rafael van der Vaart who was also added to the squad as a replacement.

Van der Vaart and goalkeeper Michael Vorm are both ill and did not travel to the French capital. (Reuters)

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Eintracht Frankfurt - Bayern Munich

Eintracht Frankfurt - Bayern Munich - With the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie with Juventus looming large, Bayern is set to shuffle the pack once more. Rafinha, Jerome Boateng and Diego Contento all should get run-outs in defense in the places of Philipp Lahm, Dante and David Alaba, respectively, as Bayern can clinch the Bundesliga title with a draw or win.

In midfield, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk will get a rare start as Bastian Schweinsteiger is given a rest, while Franck Ribery should make way for Xherdan Shaqiri, who will form an attacking midfield trio with Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben in Toni Kroos' absence.

Finally, Mario Gomez is likely to play up front ahead of Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro. Holger Badstuber remains out for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, for the hosts, goalkeeper Kevin Trapp is unavailable due to a broken hand, giving Oka Nikolov a rare opportunity to impress in the Bundesliga.

Elsewhere, though, they have no fresh injuries or suspensions, though Pirmin Schwegler and Martin Lanig will be competing for a spot in midfield, with the former returning from injury.

Bundesliga Preview: Eintracht Frankfurt - Bayern Munich

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FRANKFURT Nikolov Jun, Zambrano, Anderson, Oczipka Schwegler, Rode Aigner, Meier, Inui Lakic

BAYERN Neuer Rafinha, Van Buyten, Boateng, Contento Tymoshchuk, Martinez Robben, Muller, Shaqiri Gomez

DID YOU KNOW?

• Eintracht Frankfurt has the best home record against Bayern of any team in the Bundesliga, having won 18 games against the historical giants and losing just nine.

• What's more, no team has ever claimed a 1-0 victory over the Bavarians more times in their history than the Hessians.

• Frankfurt coach Armin Veh made all 65 of his Bundesliga appearances playing under Bayern counterpart Jupp Heynckes (pictured, right) at Borussia Monchengladbach.

• Bayern Munich can win the title with six games to spare for the first time in their history, beating its record of matchday 30 from 1973 and 2003.

• Furthermore, no team has ever won the Bundesliga title during the first half of April.

• Claudio Pizarro's four goals against Hamburg last week were his first of the Bundesliga season, coming in his 14th appearance. // Goal.com

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Bayern will challenge Barcelona and Madrid for Champions League glory

Bayern will challenge Barcelona and Madrid for Champions League glory - Arjen Robben is brimming with confidence ahead of the first leg of Bayern Munich's Champions League quarterfinal tie against Juventus, and believes the Bundesliga leader can challenge pre-tournament favorites Barcelona and Real Madrid for the title.

The Bavarians made it to the final of the competition last campaign, and Robben feels they have what it takes to make it to this year's showpiece at Wembley too, even though he realizes Juventus will not be a pushovers in the quarterfinals.

Robben: Bayern will challenge Barcelona and Madrid for Champions League glory

"We showed last season that we can be up there with the best in Europe, so we want to be in the final at Wembley. We will challenge the likes of Barca and Real for the title," the Dutchman was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

"If you look at last year's final against Chelsea, again we should never have lost it. But we’ve improved from last year. We are in the quarterfinals and we are top of our league, so you can’t ask for more.

"The tie against Juventus is going to be a tough challenge for sure. They are a team with so many experienced players — people like Andrea Pirlo — and we know how hard they will make it for us."

The Netherlands international then went on to discuss his future at Bayern, and dismissed rumors that he could be on the move this summer.

"Sometimes it's ridiculous what gets written. I have another two years on my contract and I am looking forward to seeing it through," he continued.

"Of course I didn’t want to be on the bench. When you’ve recovered from a few injuries like me, then you’ll understand. I love being on the pitch. When I’m out there, I just want to play football."

By Stefan Coerts | Goal.com – 7 hours ago

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