Paris: Arjen Robben has taken a swipe at Paris Saint-Germain ahead of Bayern Munich’s Champions League match in the French capital.
With Anderlecht and Celtic also in Group B, the clash at Parc des Princes in Paris on Wednesday could well decide who tops the table at the end of the group stages.
“Paris have certainly given out a few more euros than us, but money doesn’t score goals, quality on the pitch scores goals, good teams score goals,” said veteran Bayern winger Robben before the team flew to Paris from Germany.
PSG signed Neymar from Barcelona for a world record €222 million (Dh961 million) and recruited Kylian Mbappe from Monaco last month on an initial loan deal which is set to be made into a permanent move for €180m next year.
But when asked about PSG’s star-studded attack — Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Neymar — Robben was unfazed. “The important thing is the performance of the team, not just to focus on particular players,” he said.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is convinced Bayern can get a good result in the French capital.
“I know our team, they are highly motivated and concentrated for games like this,” he said.
“I am convinced we can get something out of this game.”
Nevertheless, the biggest test for Bayern’s defence — which threw away a two-goal lead at home to struggling Wolfsburg in a 2-2 draw last Friday — will be to contain the PSG forwards.
“Of course, that is an attack with world-class players, we have to control that, but we have more experience,” said Rummenigge.
Bayern president Uli Hoeness launched a thinly-veiled attack on PSG’s spending policy in an interview on Monday, but Rummenigge focused on the football.
“This is a prestige game, but one thing is clear: the Champions League is not decided, we want to create the conditions to become group winners.”
Neymar has been included in PSG’s squad for Wednesday’s match after recovering from a foot injury, according to coach Unai Emery.
The Brazilian’s return fuelled speculation over whether the Brazilian forward or Cavani would take a penalty if the French club are awarded one during the game.
The two players argued in the 2-0 win over Lyon nine days ago when Neymar tried to take a penalty instead of Uruguayan Cavani, who eventually had his spot-kick saved by the keeper.
“Neymar is in the squad to play the game tomorrow,” Emery said.
Neymar missed PSG’s 0-0 draw at Montpellier on Saturday as the team dropped their first points of the season in Ligue 1.
Argentine winger Angel Di Maria also returns to the PSG squad after nearly three weeks out injured.
Neymar and Cavani are likely to start alongside Kylian Mbappe in a 4-3-3 formation and Emery said he had discussed the penalty situation with the players.
“I spoke with each of them and they know how things will happen,” he said
