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TEAM NEWS: Arjen Robben returns to Bayern Munich starting XI to face Basel in Champions League
The Dutch winger has been named in Jupp Heynckes' team, relegating Thomas Muller to the bench as the Bavarians take on the defending Swiss Super League champion.
Feb 22, 2012 1:43:00 PM
By Clark Whitney
Bongarts
Arjen Robben has been reinstated to Bayern Munich's starting lineup for Wednesday night's Champions League round of 16 match in Basel.
The 28-year-old has been forced to settle for a bench role for the Bavarians' last three competitive matches, but will play on the right wing from the opening kickoff.
The use of Robben means that Thomas Muller will start as a substitute, as Toni Kroos remains in a central attacking position behind lone striker Mario Gomez.
David Alaba retains his spot in defensive midfield as deputy for the injured Bastian Schweinsteiger, and will be partnered by Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, who replaces previous starter Luiz Gustavo.
Also notable in the Bayern squad is 18-year-old talent Emre Can, who will be an option on the bench tonight.
Basel coach Heiko Vogel has named an unchanged team from that which featured in a 2-2 draw with Young Boys last Thursday. Valentin Stocker and Giles Yapi have recovered from knocks, but will start from the bench.
Philipp Degen and Scott Chipperfield are less fortunate, however, having missed out on the squad altogether due to thigh injuries.
Basel: Sommer; Steinhofer, Abraham, Dragovic, Park; Shaqiri, Huggel, Xhaka, F. Frei; Streller, A. Frei
Subs: Colomba, Degen, Kovac, Stocker, Cabral, Andrist, Zoua
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm; Tymoshchuk, Alaba; Robben, Kroos, Ribery; Gomez
Subs: Butt, Pranjic, Luiz Gustavo, Can, Petersen, Olic, Muller
The 28-year-old has been forced to settle for a bench role for the Bavarians' last three competitive matches, but will play on the right wing from the opening kickoff.
The use of Robben means that Thomas Muller will start as a substitute, as Toni Kroos remains in a central attacking position behind lone striker Mario Gomez.
David Alaba retains his spot in defensive midfield as deputy for the injured Bastian Schweinsteiger, and will be partnered by Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, who replaces previous starter Luiz Gustavo.
Also notable in the Bayern squad is 18-year-old talent Emre Can, who will be an option on the bench tonight.
Basel coach Heiko Vogel has named an unchanged team from that which featured in a 2-2 draw with Young Boys last Thursday. Valentin Stocker and Giles Yapi have recovered from knocks, but will start from the bench.
Philipp Degen and Scott Chipperfield are less fortunate, however, having missed out on the squad altogether due to thigh injuries.
Basel: Sommer; Steinhofer, Abraham, Dragovic, Park; Shaqiri, Huggel, Xhaka, F. Frei; Streller, A. Frei
Subs: Colomba, Degen, Kovac, Stocker, Cabral, Andrist, Zoua
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm; Tymoshchuk, Alaba; Robben, Kroos, Ribery; Gomez
Subs: Butt, Pranjic, Luiz Gustavo, Can, Petersen, Olic, Muller
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