Arjen Robben (right) suffered an injury in the first-half of Bayern’s shock defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday. (AFP)
AFP/Munich
Arjen Robben is set to miss Bayern Munich’s Champions League quarter-finals against FC Porto next month amidst reports he is out for six to eight weeks with torn stomach muscles.
The 31-year-old was taken to hospital after suffering the injury in the first-half of Bayern’s shock 2-0 German league defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday.
It was Bayern’s first home defeat of the season and only their third in all competitions after losing to Manchester City in the Champions League’s group phase and at Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
The Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) has confirmed Robben will miss Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Turkey and next Tuesday’s friendly against Spain.
German daily Bild claim Robben will be out for up to eight weeks with Bayern facing Porto away on April 15 before the return leg at the Allianz Arena on April 21 for a place in the Champions League’s semi-finals.
The fleet-footed Dutchman will definitely miss Bayern’s next German league match at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday April 4 and their German Cup quarter-final at Bayer Leverkusen four days later.
He has scored 17 goals in 21 Bundesliga matches, making him Bayern’s top scorer this season, and has netted twice so far in their Champions League campaign. With France winger Franck Ribery also currently suffering from an ankle injury, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola will have to dig deep in his star-studded squad.
Messi fit for Argentina friendlies
Fears that Argentina captain Lionel Messi had sustained a foot injury during Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Liga “clasico” on Sunday were allayed on Monday by his club.
Barcelona said Messi was fit to remain with Argentina in Washington for their Copa America warm-up friendly against El Salvador on Saturday.
“FC Barcelona’s medical staff in consultation with their counterparts at the Argentine Football Federation confirm that the tests carried out on Leo Messi whilst on international duty with the Argentine national side in Washington D.C. show that he has no injury to his right foot where he received a blow in his last league match with the blaugranas against Real Madrid,” the club said.
Argentina, preparing for the Copa America in Chile from June 11-July 4, have another friendly against Ecuador in New Jersey next Tuesday.
