Robben hails 'perfect away performance'

The Dutchman feels Bayern Munich did everything right during their victory over Juventus, which came courtesy of goals from Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro

Arjen Robben paid tribute to “a perfect away performance” after Bayern Munich beat Juventus 2-0 in Turin on Wednesday night to sail into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Having triumphed by the same scoreline in the first leg at the Allianz Arena, there was little onus on the Bavarians to take the game to the Bianconeri but, after a cagey opening quarter, that is exactly what they did, and second-half strikes from Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro were just rewards for a dominant display.

“Yeah, I think it was the perfect away performance,” Robben told Sky Sports.

“If you win 2-0 away in Turin, that’s an amazing result because they’re unbeaten in so many games in Italy and they’re such a perfect team; so strong at the back.

“So, if you dominate the game, too, then I think it’s a great performance.”

Bayern are joined in the last four by Barcelona, Real Madrid and compatriots Borussia Dortmund. A semi-final showdown with Jurgen Klopp’s men would guarantee a German representative in the final, but Robben would rather die Roten face their Bundesliga rivals in the final.

“I think [Germans] will want us kept apart,” the winger mused. “I think that’s what we’re hoping for. I think it’d be nice if we’re mixed up, but we don’t have a choice.

“It’s going to be a big one, the semi-final, as we’re maybe the four best teams in the world at the moment, so it’s going to be very nice.”

Robben is just happy that Bayern are once again in a position to record a treble, having wrapped up the league at the weekend.

“We knew that was going to happen,” the Netherlands international explained. “We had such a big gap with the second place, but I think it’s good that it’s done and dusted, and that we can focus on the Champions League now.

“Next week we also play in the semi-final in the German Cup, so we have some pretty big games coming up.”

The Bavarians tackle Nurnberg in the Bundesliga on Saturday before taking on Wolfsburg in the DFB Pokal on Tuesday evening.

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