Arjen Robben has not given up on a comeback this season. “I'm not as far as I'd like, or as I should be. But I'll keep it up and fight for a comeback, looking to play a role before the season is over,” the Dutchman said before the match against Gladbach on the FC Bayern Matchday Show. Robben, who made his last appearance against Dortmund two months ago, has been sidelined with a stubborn hamstring injury. The winger admitted: “Being an spectator is the worst thing for a footballer.”
There is another name on the injury roster too: Franck Ribéry is struggling with a back problem and was unable to play on Saturday, reported Pep Guardiola: “He's injured.” It remains to be seen whether the French winger will be able to play in the CL semi-final return against Atlético next Tuesday. “I don't know at this point,” Guardiola commented on Saturday evening, “we’ll do everything we can to have Franck back with us.”
Besides Ribéry, Xabi Alonso and Javi Martínez were missing from the squad. After many appearances in the last few weeks the two Spaniards took a breather against Gladbach. Skipper Philipp Lahm, Arturo Vidal, Douglas Costa and Robert Lewandowski took seats on the bench, whereas David Alaba and Thiago were brought on in the second half.
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