Arjen Robben: Bayern must stay calm to claim Champions League

 
AP
2 May 2013

Arjen Robben set his sights on lifting the Champions League trophy after helping Bayern Munich complete an "amazing" 7-0 aggregate semi-final drubbing of Barcelona.

Leading 4-0 from the first leg, Bayern stunned Barca with a comprehensive 3-0 victory in tonight's return meeting at the Nou Camp thanks to second-half goals from Robben, Gerard Pique - who put through his own net - and Thomas Muller.

The victory saw Bayern set up a mouthwatering Wembley final against Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund on May 25 - the competition's first all-German final - and Robben is hoping his side can go one better than they did in 2010 and last year by winning the showpiece.

The former Real Madrid winger told Sky Sports 2: "Now we're in the final. It's the third time in the last four years, but it's time to win it now!

"It's going to be a big one. Dortmund have proven over the last two, three years that they are a very good side. It's going to be a big game again which will be decided by the small details."

The Holland international added of their Nou Camp victory: "I think it's a terrific performance - a little bit of history maybe.

"You're playing against a team who have dominated Europe over the last five years and there's so much quality in their squad, and to win 4-0 at home and 3-0 away, especially this one away in their own stadium, it's amazing."

Robben refused to get too carried away with their success, though.

Asked if he felt Bayern were now the team to beat in Europe, he said: "I think we have to stay calm.

"At this moment we're playing some great football. We have to enjoy this moment, just stay calm, play our football and try to improve over and over again."

Barcelona midfielder Xavi lauded Bayern as "extraordinary" and believes they thoroughly deserved their place in the final.

The Spain international also refused to use his side's numerous absentees as a reason for their convincing defeat tonight.

Barca were without senior players Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano, Eric Abidal and Sergio Busquets through injury while Jordi Alba was suspended and Lionel Messi, who has been struggling with a hamstring problem in recent weeks, was an unused substitute.

Xavi told Canal Plus: "Right now they (Bayern) are at an extraordinary level. They have been better and very much deserve to be in the finals.

"Physically, we've been in bad shape with regards to players missing. Busquets, Abidal, Puyol, Mascherano...they are important players. But neither is that an excuse. Bayern have been better. Mentally strong, physically extraordinary."

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