Robben ready to start at Juventus; Ribery remains sidelined

MUNICH - Franck Ribery remains sidelined but Arjen Robben is ready for a place in Bayern Munich’s starting eleven for a deciding European Champions League showdown at Juventus Turin Tuesday.

Munich doctors said Sunday that the French star Ribery has not fully overcome a knee injury to help his teammates in the duel of ex-champions which Munich must win to make the knockout stages.

But Robben returned from injury to play for almost the full second half in a 2-1 Bundesliga win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.

“I am fit again and ready for Turin. It is an important game and I would like to be a starter,” said the Dutchman Robben.

The final saying is with coach Louis van Gaal but right back Philipp Lahm would more than welcome Robben from the kickoff onwards.

“Arjen is very lively, he seeks one-on-one situations and opens spaces. You must field him from the start if he is 100 per cent.

Munich badly missed the creativity from Robben and Ribery in recent games, but three straight wins over the past fortnight have restored morale and self-belief at the four-time European champions who were held 0-0 at home by Juve in their first meeting.

“I am very very confident that we will reach the round of 16,” said Lahm. “It would be a good sign and give the team a boost.”

Bayern have lost their previous two group matches in Turin in 2004 and 2005, but club president Uli Hoeness is also cautiously optimistic.

“It is possible to win there,” said Hoeness.

–DPA

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061132 GMT Dez