Bitter Robben refuses to take penalty over dispute with Pep | Soka Portal
Bitter Robben refuses to take penalty over dispute with Pep | Soka Portal:
Bayern enjoyed a superb 5-0 win over Viktoria Plzen with Frenchman Franck Ribery scoring twice in the Allianz Arena – but one of those was a 25th minute penalty that Dutchman Robben refused to take, despite being designated to do so by coach Pep Guardiola.
The winger’s anger stemmed from Guardiola’s decision to allow Thomas Mueller to take a spot kick in Bayern’s league win over Mainz 05 on Saturday after Robben had picked up the ball and wanted to take it himself.
The bizarre sight of Guardiola shouting “Arjen, Arjen” from the touchline as Ribery tried to give the ball to a reluctant Robben suggested the breach of discipline would be greeted with serious consequences for the Dutchman.
“I like it when players have character and take the ball and want to shoot the penalty,” Guardiola said. “I wanted Arjen to take it,” the Spaniard added, despite another convincing performance that suggests last season’s treble winners are looking ominously stronger this campaign.
Robben may have spurned the chance to convert a penalty awarded for a foul on him, but his overall performance was stellar, and Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness was left admiring his team, comparing winger Franck Ribery to a juggler as the Champions League holders made it three wins out of three in this year’s competition.
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