Former Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has issued a strong warning to his old club, emphasizing Real Madrid's unpredictable nature and resilience ahead of today's Champions League quarter-final second leg. Despite Bayern holding a crucial advantage, Robben stressed the need for unwavering focus throughout the entire match.

"Real still has a chance. You must be alert and focused for the entire 90-95 minutes," Robben stated. He highlighted Real's danger, noting their ability to seize opportunities. "You can never count Real out. They are always calm, can sit deep, then suddenly counter-attack. Sometimes they only need one or two moments. They have many outstanding individuals."

In the first leg at the Bernabeu last week, Bayern started confidently, taking a two-goal lead within 46 minutes through Luis Diaz and Harry Kane. Although Real managed to pull one goal back with Kylian Mbappe's close-range shot, the German team secured a 2-1 victory, giving them a significant advantage as they return to their home ground, Allianz Arena, for today's decisive match.

Speaking to Bayern's official website, Robben acknowledged his former team played well in the first leg, but cautioned that the score did not fully reflect the game's dynamics. He pointed to the exceptional performance of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who was voted man of the match, as crucial. "For me, Neuer is always the best goalkeeper in the world. Playing like that in a Champions League quarter-final at the age of 40 shows Neuer's incredible class. I am not surprised; I am just happy for him," Robben shared.

Luis Diaz (left) celebrates the opening goal in Bayern's 2-1 victory over Real in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain on 7/4/2026. Photo: Reuters.

Despite his caution, when asked for a prediction, Robben expressed confidence in his former team. "Bayern will win. They are confident and operating like a well-oiled machine. I believe they will go far," he affirmed. However, he reiterated the unpredictable nature of football: "Football always has surprises – red cards or unforeseen situations. You must focus for the entire 95 minutes. If they do that, in my opinion, there will only be one winning team."

Arjen Robben celebrates the Champions League title in 2013. Photo: UEFA.

This season, Bayern is aiming for a historic quadruple. In addition to the Champions League, they have already secured the German Super Cup, are leading the Bundesliga, and are set to face Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal semi-final on 22/4. In the Bundesliga alone, Bayern reached the 105-goal mark after 29 rounds, surpassing a record that stood for 54 years.

Comparing the current squad to the Bayern team that won the treble in 2013, Robben observed significant changes in football, particularly regarding physicality. Nevertheless, he emphasized a shared core identity within the club. "Back then, we had a long-standing squad with players who truly understood Bayern. It was like a family. I see that in the current squad as well," the 42-year-old former star commented.

Overall, Robben gave a positive assessment of Bayern under coach Vincent Kompany, asserting that the team is functioning as a complete unit. "They constantly push forward and retreat together. That is the distinguishing feature of a top team – the ability to defend as a unified block. Currently, everything is working well; everyone understands their role, and the game plan is very clear," he remarked.

Hong Duy (via FC Bayern)