Everyone says it every single year. If Arjen Robben can stay healthy, whatever team he plays for is going to win trophies. Problem is, Arjen Robben never stays healthy. The only year he's come close to it since leaving Holland, Bayern Munich won a domestic double and made it to the Champions League final. Following his absolutely brilliant performance against FC Zurich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie, that mantra will be rearing its ugly head again. Following a 2-0 win, Bayern are well on their way to a place in the group stages, but the game meant so much more for Bayern's season overall. The Bavarians have struggled in the Bundesliga thus far, and Robben has given them a boost.
Bayern Munich Vs. FC Zurich, UEFA Champions League: Full Time, Arjen Robben Guides Bayern To 2-0 Win
With Robben in the team, Bayern are a completely different side. With no disrespect intended to players like Thomas Müller and Ivica Olic, Robben is in a completely different class and he showed it on Wednesday night, creating a goal for Bastian Schweinsteiger and finishing one of his own. This doesn't even count the endless opportunities he created for Mario Gomez, who turned in one of the worst performances of his career.
The first goal came early on, thanks to a cross by Robben and a headed finish from Schweinsteiger. Bayern would continue to dominate throughout the first half, but could not find another goal to show for it. That trend continued deep into the second half, with Gomez missing a number of chances, but Robben finally put the match and possibly the tie to bed with an absolutely stunning volley from inside of the penalty area that looped into the back of the net to sink Zurich.
Bayern travel to Switzerland to play the second leg next week, where the hosts will need nothing short of a miracle to advance.
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