Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk has said that the decision by the Bayern Munich fans to criticise Arjen Robben for missing the crucial penalty against Chelsea is extremely poor. Bayern Munich hosted the Dutch national team in a friendly match at the Allianz Arena, it was the scene of the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday. Despite having many chances to win the match in normal time, Bayern Munich failed to capitalise on their advantage. Even when Thomas Müller scored for the Germans, they were unable to hold on to the lead for seven more minutes allowing Didier Drogba to equalise for Chelsea.
The match went into extra time, in which Bayern Munich were awarded a crucial penalty after Didier Drogba poor challenge on Franck Ribery. Arjen Robben, who is the designated penalty taker for Bayern Munich, stepped up to take the crucial penalty. The penalty kick was delayed due to the fact that Ribery had to receive treatment on the pitch. Robben then went on to miss the crucial penalty that would have given Bayern Munich the lead in extra time. Chelsea then went out to win the first Champions League title in their history on penalties. As a result, some 33,000 Bayern Munich fans decided to boo Arjen Robben when he played in the friendly match.
“It’s scandalous the way in which Arjen was treated on Tuesday in Munich. Arjen was really down about it but I hope that he will emerge stronger from the experience,” said Bert van Marwijk. Despite the penalty miss, Arjen Robben is expected to be included into the Dutch squad for the Euro 2012. They are one of the favourites for winning the tournament, but they have to negotiate the ‘group of death’, which Bert van Marwijk reckons it will be very tough.