• Champions League

It was like playing handball, says Robben

ESPN staff
April 2, 2014
Guardiola loses temper after Manchester United draw

Arjen Robben has accused Manchester United of playing "handball" in their 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich as he lambasted David Moyes' side for their defensive approach.

Bayern had 15 attempts at goal and three-quarters of possession at Old Trafford and Robben was critical of Moyes' tactics.

But the former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger said he was confident that reigning champions Bayern will progress to the semi-finals when they meet at the Allianz Arena next week.

Robben told the German press: "It was not easy, as our opponents didn't leave any gaps. We wanted to play football but they tried to stop us. The English were just playing on the counter and have played very defensively, it was almost like in handball.

"But when you go a goal down you have to be pleased with a draw. One-one is a very good result that we can take home with us and then we just have to finish it off next week."

Bayern manager Pep Guardiola did not criticise United directly for keeping men behind the ball, but stated it was not "easy to create chances against teams who put 8 or 9 players in the box."

However, United manager Moyes praised his side for their defending: "We defended really well when we needed to. We were short of defenders."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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