Soccer:Bayern Munich will be without midfield duo Arjen Robben and Toni Kroos for tomorrow's Champions League clash with Manchester City. Holland star Robben and Germany international Kroos both have flu and, with qualification for the knockout phase already secured, have remained in Bavaria to recuperate ahead of the weekend trip to Stuttgart.
Even though they are assured of progression, captain Philipp Lahm was adamant the Bundesliga leaders would be doing everything possible to claim all three points at the Etihad Stadium. “We can approach the game with a certain amount of calm but we will do everything to ensure that we come home with the points.”
The match has far greater importance for City, who need to win and hope Napoli fail to beat Villarreal to secure a top-two spot in Group A.
Bayern defender Daniel van Buyten spent a loan spell at City in 2004 and he is expecting a hot atmosphere tomorrow night. “It’s a fantastic stadium with fantastic fans who always get behind their team, even when they’re 3-0 down. It’ll be a hostile atmosphere. The fans will roar their team on. I think it’ll be a good game for the spectators.”
Van Buyten admits knocking big-spending City out of the Champions League at this stage could benefit the Germans in the latter stages. “Manchester City has so much potential and excellent players. They could be nasty opponents later in the competition”
