Bayern Munich beat the Netherlands in a friendly

Only three days after their devastating UEFA Champions League final loss to Chelsea FC, the German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich were back at their own Allianz Arena to take on the Netherlands in a friendly which Bayern won 3-2 through a late Mario Gomez winner, but surely they would have liked to have scored a win on Saturday night rather then last night.

The match had been agreed by Bayern Munich and the Dutch FA (KNVB) as means of compensation to Bayern Munich for an injury picked up by Arjen Robben while on international duty for the Netherlands during the 2010 FIFA World Cup after which Robben missed six months of action.

On a hot evening in Munich both teams did show in patches what they are capable off, but otherwise it often was a summer kick in which no side wanted to hurt each other. Toni Kroos with a brilliant long-ranger gave Bayern Munich a 17th minute lead, but only a minute later Klaas Jan Huntelaar equalised for the Oranje's and then 'Player of Indian Origin' Luciano Narsingh gave the Dutch the lead in the 20th minute when he chipped the ball over an advancing Hans-Jörg Butt. Bayern Munich restored parity in the 28th minute when Nils Pedersen headed in a sharp Ivica Olic cross. The teams went into the break with the result at two-all.

There were numerous substitutions throughout and in the 75th minute Arjen Robben came on for the Netherlands against his club team with parts of the Bayern Munich faithful booing the Dutch international. It was a reaction to Robben having missed two crucial penalties against Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea which lost them the Bundesliga title and UEFA Champions League final.

In the end substitutes Franck Ribery and Mario Gomez sealed a victory for Bayern Munich in the 87th minute with the latter scoring. It was a win, but not that will change the course of the season gone-by still it will have put some smiles on the faces of Bayern Munich are some very tough days.

Robben extends FC Bayern contract until 2015

After a few days of speculation that Arjen Robben might not extend his until 2013 running contract with FC Bayern Munich, the Dutch international has just done that by signing a two year extension of his existing contract until June 2015.

Bayern Munich had signed Arjen Robben from Real Madrid in August 2009 for 24 Million Euros. So far he has scored 39 goals in 61 Bundesliga matches winning the 2010 Bundesliga title and German Cup.

"We're extremely pleased that we've extended Arjen's contract a year before its expiry by two further years until 2015," commented Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “Arjen is a very important player for FC Bayern, and also a guarantee of the club's continuing success in the future."

The timing of the contract extension is important for the club then now everyone can focus on the two finals coming-up - first the German Cup against Borussia Dortmund on May 12 and then the UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea FC on May 19 at home.

"I've always emphasised that I feel very, very settled in Munich and at FC Bayern," commented Arjen Robben, “this is the reason I'm glad to extend my contract ahead of its expiry. FC Bayern is like a family to me. Two of my three children were born in Munich, and my family and I feel at home here. This contract extension is also the right decision for me from a sporting perspective. We have a magnificent team, and I'm certain we'll enjoy the maximum possible footballing success in the years to come."

Besides Arjen Robben other key players like Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez had earlier extended their contracts until 2016.

Don't the Dutch care about injuries?

The KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) and their national coach Bert van Marwijk have been heavily criticized over the last few month's by German giants FC Bayern Munich for playing Bayern players in Arjen Robben and Mark van Bommel even when injured and now the Germans could have fellow sufferers in FC Arsenal London as Robin van Persie has been called-up for the Netherlands international friendly on November 17 against Turkey, but the Arsenal star has not played for his club since late August after picking up an injury against Blackburn Rovers.

The issue between KNVB and Bayern Munich has gone to the extend that FIFA and the European Club Association is now involved in the matter as Bayern claim as per Bayern team doctor Dr. Müller-Wohlfarth that Arjen Robben wasn't fit to play in the World Cup, but the Dutch team doctors issued an all okay to use their player in the tournament. Robben had to sit out initial matches, but was then influential to get the Dutch to the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but Robben will surely miss the first half of Bayern's 2010/11 campaign and maybe even more as test after returning from holiday revealed the damage. Now Bayern are claiming compensation in return from the Dutch as Robben got injured while on international duty, which could go into the millions of Euros if Bayern's position is accepted. The KNVB and Bayern are in negotiations to settle the matter out of court.

But while talks were going on with the KNVB last month another Bayern Munich player in captain of the club and national team Mark van Bommel, only half fit at the time, aggrevated his injury while playing for the Dutch and Bayern officials thereafter questioned the commitment of their captain towards his club. They asked the question if van Bommel really cared about Bayern Munich, who pay his wages, and also asking if coach Bert van Marwijk and his staff bothered about the players health and their careers or only their own international matches.

Now a new potential dimension is being added to this issue with winger and striker Robin van Persie. The talented Dutch attacking player is injury prone and hasn't played too many matches for Arsenal or the Dutch national team over the years. And a call-up while still recovering from an injury has to be questioned as van Persie hasn't played a competitive game in over two month's. Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger couldn't understand the decision, which to him is totally illogical as such a friendly like against Turkey has no real value, but if van Persie does get injured then Arsenal would suffer in the coming weeks or maybe even month's.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk is said to have stated that he 'doesn't care' about Arsenal medical staff's assessment of van Persie and that his set-up wanted to have a look at the player. That surely is fine, but Wenger will keep fingers crossed that his player comes back not injured to the club.

Injured Robben only to return in 2011?

Bayern Munich's weekend wasn't the best. First they lost on Friday evening against promoted 1.FC Kaiserslautern and then on Sunday it was made public that their Dutch winger Arjen Robben could be out for the rest of the year 2010. It would be a big blow to Bayern Munich and their coach Louis van Gaal for whom Robben was one of the key players in a very successful 2009/10 season. This would mean that Robben would most likely only return after the winter break in January 2011.

"It is more than questionable whether Arjen will be able to play for us in the Bundesliga's round of matches before Christmas," Bayern's Sports Director Christian Nerlinger told German tabloid Bild on Sunday.

The 26 year old Robben was a key element in the later part of the Netherlands 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign, but a thigh injury picked-up prior to the tournament had forced him to initially sit out of the Oranje matches hasn't healed. Now this injury is back to haunt Robben as according to Bayern Munich team doctor Dr. Mueller Wohlfarth he had not been treated properly by the Dutch team doctors. He claims the Dutch doctors just ensured Robben would be fit for the World Cup, but actually the injury was so severe that he shouldn't have been played in South Africa.

Bayern have taken the matter to FIFA and have asked for compensation from the Dutch Football Association. There is no provision for such a case, but the German giants do think that the Dutch are to blame for their loss of their star player, which could hamper their season. And sometime next month a meeting is set to be held between Bayern and the Dutch FA.

Rumours out of Munich say that Bayern are now looking at last minute options to fill the gap left by Robben's long injury lay-off. And it is being said that they have once more turned to Real Madrid and are looking at another Dutch midfielder. This time around it is Rafael van der Vaart, who was not in the Real Madrid's squad against RCD Mallorca yesterday, and he has been told my coach Jose Mourinho to look for another club.

Unwanted in Madrid, Heroes elsewhere

When Bayern Munich face Inter Milan Saturday night in the UEFA Champions League final at the Bernabeu in Madrid it will be a special occasion for everyone. But it will be even more special for two player who at the start of the season were unwanted in the Spanish capital at Real Madrid and were forced to leave the Bernabeu.

I am talking about the Dutch midfield duo of Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. While Robben joined Bayern Munich for a transfer fee of 24 Million Euros, Sneijder joined Inter Milan for 15 Million Euros. And both were in the end happy to leave Madrid last summer and now they will surely look forward to returning to Madrid.


Robben at Bayern

The 26 year old Dutch winger has been a revelation for Bayern Munich this season. Robben has been as fit as never before, often out due to injuries and that was important for him to improve all through the season. Robben plays on the right wing and his most dangerous weapon are his runs into the centre to take shots on goal with his lethal left foot. Some would say opponents should know this by now, but still Robben is able to score again and again.

Robben has been one of the factors to turn around Bayern's season after a dismal start. The Dutchman along with Frank Ribery on the left make the deadliest wing combination in global club football, which has given Bayern the edge in a number of matches.

Robben scored 23 goals and has nine assists in all competitions and was the man for the crucial goals in the Bundesliga, German Cup and the Champions League. The best of them all was his left footed volley against Manchester United at Old Trafford. What a strike.


Sneijder at Inter

Sneijder who turns 26 next month has been the creative man in midfield for Internationale Milan, a key element in the plans of coach Jose Mourinho, who plays result oriented football rather then football with flair, but if there was any in his team then Sneijder was most likely involved. Still Sneijder has also defended for his team whenever needed like against FC Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Sneijder has 14 assists and scored eight goals in all competitions for his team. Sneijder was instrumental to set up numerous chances for strikers Samuel Eto'o, Diego Milito and the others.


I really look forward to see these players in action on May 22!

On Saturday night Robben and Sneijder will face each other, but only a few weeks later they will play together for the Netherlands at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

At Real Madrid meanwhile they might look on their own pitch on Saturday night and ask themselves, why did we sell these players...