Champions League: Arjen Robben expresses delight with Bayern Munich's 'easy' victory over Manchester City
While City manager Manuel Pellegrini admits his side 'played really badly', but refuses to single out goalkeeper Joe Hart for blame
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben said that his side never expected beating Manchester City to be “as easy” as they found it tonight in a comprehensive 3-1 victory for the European champions who outplayed the home side.
Robben scored the third of the three goals for Bayern who had Jerome Boateng sent off in the last ten minutes with a straight red card. Robben said: “The first 70 minutes we played some terrific football. We were so dominant against a big team in Europe. We didn't expect an easy game like that.
"It is a compliment to our team but we expected more from City. We didn't give them any space, we pressed them right up to the goalkeeper and they just kicked it away. Sometimes they gave us too much space and we used space well."
Franck Ribery scored the first goal within seven minutes, embarrassing Joe Hart with a shot that crept in his near post which the England international should have saved. Robben also beat him at his near post for the third goal. Thomas Muller scored Bayern's second and the substitute Alvaro Negredo scored a late consolation for the home side.
The City manager Manuel Pellegrini confessed that Hart's errors had to be addressed. "I will talk about the team, not individuals. We played really badly. It wasn't the team that we see here every weekend and that's the worst thing. It wasn't a good day for us.
“It's my duty to analyse the team and individual players. Of course we can all do better for the three goals, not only the goalkeeper, and you can't afford to lose three goals to Bayern Munich because they are a good team.
“Of course I worry about the mistakes but this was not an easy game. Now it's important to think about the future and also about solutions.”
Gary Neville, a coach on Roy Hodgson's England staff, was also critical of Hart in his role as a Sky Sports pundit. On the first goal, from Ribery he said: “It's the power of the shot. He's got to do better there, Joe Hart, beaten at his near post. It just goes through his hand. It's not the start Manchester city wanted or the goalkeeper.
In reference to Hart's reaction to Robben's goal, Neville said: "You have to say Joe Hart's got to do better again at that near post. That's twice he's been beaten there tonight. He'll be disappointed again."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments