Robben apologises for van Gaal snub

ARJEN ROBBEN may have been Bayern Munich’s Champions League saviour once more but he was still forced to issue an apology following the 1-0 semi-final first leg win against Lyon on Wednesday night.

Robben, whose goals against Fiorentina and Manchester United enabled the Bavarians to advance to the last four, netted the only goal at the Allianz Arena but then fell foul of coach Louis van Gaal by reacting petulantly to his late withdrawal. The two Dutchmen had a face-to-face confrontation on the touchline as Robben ignored Van Gaal’s outstretched hand.

The former Holland boss blocked his countryman and held him firmly while explaining his reasons for bringing him off.

Robben admitted afterwards his reaction was born of frustration.

“I had a really good feeling and felt I was really in the game and I could have scored another goal,” said the former Real Madrid man. “Therefore, I could not understand why I was being removed. But I have got to apologise to all of the fans because I shouldn’t do that. I should have been more professional, but this is just part of my mentality – I always want to win.”

Van Gaal insisted Robben had been taken off to preserve him for the weekend Bundesliga clash against Borussia Monchengladbach.

“We need him to score goals for us in Monchengladbach too,” he said.

The spat was a downside on a good night for Bayern, although they may regret not pressing home their advantage when the contest became 10 versus 10 following Jeremy Toulalan’s red card at the start of the second half.

Toulalan followed Bayern’s Franck Ribery in being sent off, the France international dismissed for a 37th- minute lunge on Lisandro Lopez.

Lisandro spent several minutes on the ground with fans believing the Argentinian’s behaviour had influenced referee Roberto Rosetti’s thinking.

“If there are players who have taken blows, then I am sorry but, if they are in pain, they cannot simply stand up again,” Lyon coach Claude Puel said.

“There was no cinema on our part. You have got to respect the players.”

Lyon captain Cris refused to use his team’s 800-kilometre, 10-hour road journey as an excuse for their defeat.

Les Gones’ travel plans earlier this week were thrown into disarray when the ash cloud caused by Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull brought about the closure of much of Europe’s airspace.

Claude Puel’s men arrived in Munich at 12.30pm on Tuesday after a mammoth road journey, split up by an overnight stay in Stuttgart.

But Cris insists anyone seeking to put the loss down to travel-weariness is not worthy of playing on such a stage.

“This is not an excuse,” the Brazilian said. “If players are hiding behind it, they are not ready to play a European Cup match.

“There was a good atmosphere in the stadium. It was still a semi-final of the Champions League. Many players do not have the chance to play this kind of meeting. We should enjoy it.”