The atmosphere at the Allianz Arena was spine-tingling before a ball was kicked on Saturday. The stadium and the Bayern fans said goodbye to three great players before the match against Eintracht Frankfurt. Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry and Rafinha will leave FC Bayern this summer after ten, twelve and eight years.
The fans came up with something special to mark the occasion. The lower tier of the south stand was decorated in red and white. There was a giant placard of Robben and Ribéry, and the words "Servus and thank you. For fighting and commitment in the name of our colours" stood in huge letters. The club too said goodbye and thanked the trio. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, president Uli Hoeneß and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic presented each of the players with a portrait of themselves with all the trophies they have won with FC Bayern.
The day turned emotional during warm-up. Stadium announcer Stephan Lehmann welcomed each of the three as special moments of their careers at Bayern were displayed. Each of them heard his own song and of course the fans' chants. All three struggled to hold back the tears in an atmosphere these great players have truly deserved.
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