Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes feels Arjen Robben could be vital in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Robben suffered several disappointments at the end of the 2011-12 season, including missing in Bayern’s penalty shoot-out loss to Chelsea in the Champions League final and a poor Euro 2012 with the Netherlands.
An injury at the start of the season hampered the winger but the Dutchman has bounced back in impressive fashion, contributing two goals in his side’s 7-0 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.
“It is not a surprise. Arjen was very motivated after the European Championships last summer,” Heynckes said.
“But he got injured and lost time. He is still driven by ambition. He has a professional approach and is in good form. He is a very important player in my system because he has learned to take on defensive roles.
“That makes him a lot stronger than he has been in the past.”
Heynckes will leave the club at the end of the season, with the very realistic possibility of departing on the back of winning an unprecedented treble of the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Polkal, as well as the Champions League.
“We have achieved some extraordinary things,” he added.
“Overall, our season has been the best in the Bundesliga from any team in 50 years.
“But we have the aspiration to carry on. We want to maintain our form tomorrow and in the German Cup final.
“I am fortunate. I have won the Champions League before when I was at Real Madrid. For the players in our squad who are 28 and over, tomorrow could be the crowning moment of their entire careers.”
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