Bayern banking on Robben return to boost ailing title bid
Published:Baryern Munich’s Arjen Robben will be making his long awaited return from injury after Christmas, according to Bayern sporting director Christian Nerlinger.
The Dutch winger has not played since the world cup final in July because of a hamstring problem and has been sorely missed by the defending German champions.
Bayern – who won the German league and cup double last term – are currently sixth in the Bundesliga and 17 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Their dreadful season has seen them slip to 6/1 in the betting, miles behind leaders Dortmund who are 2/11 to win the German title for the first time since 2002.
However, the news of Robben’s improved fitness will give a small glimmer of hope to Louis van Gaal and his side.
Nerlinger said: “Arjen is about to start training with the team. It looks very likely that he will be able to join in three or four times with the team before Christmas.”
It may come too late for Bayern though, as they face a couple of extremely tough away games before the Christmas break.
The German champions travel to Stuttgart and Wolfsburg over the next couple of weeks and only wins against these opponents – who are both struggling in the league this term – will be enough to even give them even a sniff of retaining their title.
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