27.03.2010
Van Gaal ponders resting Robben for United clash
Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal said Saturday he is considering resting Dutch playmaker Arjen Robben this weekend ahead of next week's Champions League clash with Manchester United.
Bayern host European giants United at Munich's Allianz Arena on Tuesday and van Gaal is keen to use Robben sparingly or resting him completely for Saturday's Bundesliga clash when the league leaders take on Stuttgart.
Van Gaal says Robben is tired after putting Bayern in the German Cup final, on May 15 against Werder Bremen, with a wonder-goal in the 112th minute of extra time which settled last Wednesday's semi-final at Schalke 04.
"Robben was tired after the Schalke game," van Gaal told German daily Bild on Saturday.
"After the way he ran, I am not surprised.
"A body can recover in two days, the problem is the spirit."
Since joining Bayern last year from Real Madrid, Robben has scored 14 goals including one in each of the two legs against Fiorentina in the last 16 clash which put Munich in the final eight of the Champions League.
While ex-Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer has said the Germans fear Manchester's Wayne Rooney, Robben is Munich's star performer this season and his presence is key to their chances of progressing against United.
"The way things are going, Robben tends to score at the end of matches," said van Gaal.
"Before that, we have to use every minute to break our opponents down.
"Then we create some space and Robben can do his thing.
"I think teams can't do much more to defend against him.
"Teams have already tried everything to stop him in the Bundesliga."
Source: © 2010 AFP - Clemens Bilan
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