Bayern's Robben eager to seize the day

Having played a key role in FC Bayern München's run to the final, Arjen Robben is determined to make the most of the opportunity on Saturday, saying: "You have to give everything on this day."

Winger Arjen Robben will look to bring an exceptional season to an exceptional end on Saturday by helping FC Bayern München overcome FC Internazionale Milano in the UEFA Champions League final. Here he sizes up the strengths of coaches Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho, looks back on a memorable campaign and sets his sights on a fitting finale at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It's been a terrific season for you. Is it the best of your career?

Arjen Robben: Suddenly, it's certainly among one of my best years. I have felt good here from the first day. They gave me a great welcome. I feel very comfortable at the club and the main reason is I stayed fit for the whole season. For that reason I think I'm having a good season.

What impact has coach Van Gaal had at the club?

Robben: A major impact. He has his own way of working and players have to adapt to him. He's got a lot of energy, positive energy, and is one of the few coaches in world football that still looks at the individual. Of course he wants to make the team better – in the end it is all about team performance – but he also looks at the individual. He wants to make players better and that is what he has done this year. That is why sometimes it takes some time, because he has his own way of working and tactically he is very strong. As a person, not just a coach, he is great for his players.

What have you learned from Van Gaal?

Robben: It is a Dutch way of working, so for me it was maybe a little bit easier than for the other players, the German players. For me the most important thing is that he keeps telling us to make the right choices on the field. The game is so quick nowadays and you have to make decisions very fast. That is how he tries to help: to make a good decision, when to dribble, when to pass.

Talking about coaches, you're coming up against your old Chelsea FC boss Mourinho. How does that feel?

Robben: It's great. I was at Madrid for two years and now this year at Munich, so I haven't seen or spoken to him for three years. Of course he is also a great coach. I had a great time with him at Chelsea. Together we won all the prizes that can be won in England and we wrote history together by winning the first title in 50 years at Chelsea. So yes, only positive experiences with him and lovely to see him.

What are the differences and similarities between the two coaches?

Robben: They are both very strong at preparing a team. Mentally they're also very strong. They can really put out a winning team and create a winning team. As for their differences, Van Gaal maybe looks more at the football-playing part and Mourinho looks a bit more at the organisation defensively. As for the rest, they are among the best coaches in the world.

Tell us about your compatriot Wesley Sneijder, a team-mate of yours last season at Real Madrid CF and now playing against you for Inter.

Robben: He makes the game. He's the one in the centre, playing behind the strikers and is always there to start the attack. I think all the attacking play will be done by him and he's always there to send great passes. He's a great player. It's very nice we can go back to Madrid together, playing for different teams but playing the final. I'm happy for him. He has had a great season.

What will Bayern have to do to win?

Robben: I don't expect Inter to defend as much as they did against Barcelona, though of course they also had a player sent off. We have to play our own game. We can't change our tactics. We've played the whole season the same way and that's what we will do in the final as well. On the day you have to sometimes be a bit lucky, but at least you have to be sharp in front of goal and the chances you get you have to take.

How will it feel to return to the Bernabéu. Do you have a point to prove?

Robben: Yes, but not particularly in this game. I can already be satisfied about this season. But of course this is the highest occasion for a football player, also as an individual, so hopefully I can have a good game. But it's not to show people, it's to win the title. That's the most important thing. If I have a terrible game and we win in the end it's all good.

How important is it for Bayern to win the UEFA Champions League?

Robben: It's funny, the club didn't expect us to be in the final this year. The main goal was to win the championship and that's what we did. But now we're in the final, it's a unique opportunity and you have to try and win it. You have to give all on this day and I think we will see 22 players who will play for their lives.

Preliminary squads announced

Competing at a FIFA World Cup is invariably the highlight of any footballer’s career, and this week we discovered which players have moved a step closer to realising that dream. The final 23-man squads will not be known until 1 June, but this week coaches from each of the participating nations named the 30 players from which that ultimate decision will be made.

To view the provisional squads selected by all 32 finalists, just click on the pdf document linked at the bottom of the right-hand menu.

As always with these preliminary squad announcements, surprise inclusions and notable, often controversial, omissions dominated the headlines, even if plenty of coaches remained faithful to the tried and tested stars who had excelled during qualifying. Sadly, injuries forced the hands of many, with Charlie Davies failing to recover in time to take his place in a USA squad that instead included the comparatively inexperienced striking duo of Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez.

There were even more surprises for fans of the Americans’ opening match opponents, England, for whom Jamie Carragher and Ledley King – neither of whom have played under Fabio Capello – both received call-ups. The Three Lions’ Italian coach, who failed to convince Paul Scholes to join Carragher in coming out of retirement, also included two as yet uncapped players: King’s central defensive partner, Michael Dawson, and the exciting Manchester City winger, Adam Johnson. Elsewhere in Group C, there was a place for Groningen’s in-form young striker Tim Matavz in Matjaz Kek’s Sloveniaselection, while Algeria coach Rabah Sadaane sprung few surprises in a squad dominated by a strong Europe-based contingent.

The task of choosing from Brazil’s embarrassment of riches fell to Dunga, who resisted a public clamour by staying true to the players who topped their qualifying group and won last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup. The inclusion of Wolfsburg striker Grafite raised a few eyebrows, however, while Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was rewarded for his fine form in the Londoners’ outstanding Premier League campaign with the third goalkeeping slot. Group F rivals Portugal, meanwhile, have gambled on the fitness of Real Madrid centre-half Pepe, sidelined since December, while shock inclusions were conspicuous by their absence in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s star-studded Côte d’Ivoire squad.

Inevitably, Diego Maradona’s selection proved less predictable, with the Argentina coach picking the largely unknown trio of Ariel Garce, Sebastian Blanco and Juan Manuel Insaurralde among a nine-strong contingent of home-based players that also includes 36-year-old Martin Palermo. Another veteran striker who could be lining up against Maradona’s side in their South Africa 2010 opener is Kanu. The Portsmouth striker, who turns 34 in August, was named alongside club colleague John Utaka in Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback’s 30-man list.

The holders, meanwhile, will rely on the players who led them back to the world stage, with Marcello Lippi resisting the temptation to recall Francesco Totti in an Italy squad that has Giuseppe Rossi as its only foreign-based player. Spain, many observers’ favourites for the title, have named the injured trio of Andreas Iniesta, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas along with outsiders such as Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez, Osasuna defender Cesar Azpilicueta and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.

In the closely-matched Group D, Germany surprised many by including Hamburg defender Dennis Aogo and Bayern Munich youngster Holger Badstuber, while Radomir Antic named seven England-based players in a formidable looking Serbia squad. Australia and Ghana, meanwhile, have backed two of their key players to recover from injury in time, with Harry Kewell and Michael Essien both included.

A quartet of Arsenal players and a trio of Ligue 1-winning Marseille players were named in Francecoach’s Raymond Domenech’s 30, while Mexico have named just five recognised midfielders in a squad that will be without the talents of the injured Miguel Sabah. Finally, hosts South Africa sprung few surprises in their announcement, with prodigal son Benni McCarthy, as expected, completing his return from the international wilderness by making Carlos Alberto Parreira’s provisional list.

Kaka sings Mourinho's praises

Real Madrid playmaker Kaka has welcomed talk of Jose Mourinho joining the club next season.

The Inter Milan coach is reportedly on the wish-list of the Spanish giants' president Florentino Perez, with the club seemingly destined to end this season trophyless despite spending over €200m on new players last summer.

Mourinho is a great coach. He has won things everywhere he has been.

Real Madrid's Kaka

Kaka, one of the big-name arrivals at the start of 2009/10, believes Mourinho could be the man to change their fortunes.
The Brazilian, speaking at a promotional event in Valencia, said: "Mourinho is a great coach. He has won things everywhere he has been. But whether he comes (to Real) is down to the club."
Pellegrini defenceKaka also stuck up for current coach Manuel Pellegrini, who could be fired in the close season despite the club still being in the title race heading into the final round of fixtures this weekend.
"He has done a great job but it is the club who will decide whether he stays or goes," said the Brazil international.
Kaka has struggled to make much of an impact at the Bernabeu following his big-money move from AC Milan due to injuries.
"For me it has been a very difficult season, with many physical problems," he moaned. "I have not been able to compete the way I wanted to."

Ribery: France can win it

France superstar Franck Ribery is one of the most sought-after footballers in the world. As rumours continue to circulate about the Bayern Munich player's future, the skilful winger finds himself the centre of media attention on a constant basis.
Ribery in even greater demand out on the pitch, with Bayern on course for a domestic double and Inter Milan waiting in the UEFA Champions League final. And that is not to mention 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, where the 27-year-old is hoping to challenge for football's biggest prize. Despite his busy schedule, the diminutive No7 took the time to answer questions posed to him by FIFA.com users.
german2010: Bayern Munich are the team to beat in the Bundesliga, but how do you see the club's chances in the Champions League? Also, what can you achieve with Bayern in the future?Franck Ribery: It's true that Bayern Munich is the biggest club in Germany and that we have the strongest squad. I think we have a team capable of winning the Champions League this year.
googlesu: Is there goal you've scored which you remember in particular?
One goal that has stayed with me was in the quarter-finals of the German Cup during the 2007/08 season. It was the last minute of extra time, and I scored a penalty against our local rivals 1860 Munich to win the tie. We went on to win the cup that year.

Of course there are teams you dream of playing for, like Real Madrid or Barcelona. I'd like to play with Xavi. He's a very good player who directs and organises his team, and his passing is superb.

Franck Ribery

toutenkhagoa: Which club would you say has helped you the most in terms of becoming the player you are today?
I've been happy with all the clubs I've played for, they've always treated me well. They've all done everything they can for me - the same goes for Bayern at the moment and Marseille and Brest before that.
FooooFa: Who do you think is the best player in the world at the moment and who would you most like to play with? Also, do you have a dream club? At the moment I think Lionel Messi is the world's best player. I'd like to play with Xavi. He's a very good player who directs and organises his team, and his passing is superb. He's in incredible form at the moment. Of course there are teams you dream of playing for, like Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Slovensko: You're a very versatile player who can operate anywhere across the midfield or up front. What is your preferred position?
I wouldn't like to say. I'm a player who likes to have freedom out on the pitch, especially in attack. I need to have freedom because I run and move around a lot. I think I prefer coming from the left-hand side.
Abado89: How far can France go at the World Cup?
I'm expecting us to have a very good World Cup because it's very important for France to perform well. It's imperative for us to get past the group stage and then hopefully we can make the Final.
ahmed_201096: Who's your favourite to win the World Cup and why?
Obviously I hope it's us who win the World Cup in South Africa. We have a very good team who are more than capable. There are several other teams who are just as good, though, and at the moment I think England and Spain are both very strong.
egyptman10: What's it like playing at a World Cup?
The World Cup is the biggest event in any player's career. They are very special matches in a very special tournament. It's just a wonderful experience with plenty of exciting games. 2006 was fantastic. We made it to the Final but unfortunately we lost on penalties.
igui87: Who is/was the best French player ever and why?
It has to be Zinedine Zidane. He was a great player but also a great person. He was a player who had a lot of trust in his team-mates and he always spoke to them a lot. When he was on the ball, he was like a magician, he could do some wonderful things.
Arcegallup: A lot of experts are saying that you are Zidane's successor. What do you make of that suggestion?
I don't know if I'm his successor, but if people think that then it makes me very proud and obviously I'm flattered. Zizou was a great player and a wonderful person. I try to do my best out on the pitch and to be as friendly to people as possible.

We have a very good team who are more than capable. There are several other teams who are just as good, though, and at the moment I think England and Spain are both very strong.

France's Franck Ribery on the teams to beat at South Africa 2010

Dimidergriec: Who was your football idol when you were younger?
When I was little, my idol was Jean-Pierre Papin. He was always calm in front of goal and scored a lot.
Luigijav: What have been the best/worst moments of your career so far?
The worst moment of my career would have to be the first six months of this season when I was out with a knee injury. It was very hard for me and it's been my most difficult season to date. The best moment would have to be the 3-1 victory over Spain at the 2006 World Cup. I scored a goal and we beat a very strong team that day.
Tomcat1987: Has there been a defender who you've found particularly difficult to play against?
I can't remember to be honest. I don't think there has been anyone in particular.
Of all the users who posed questions to Franck Ribery, one can look forward to a fantastic prize: Arcegallup from Mexico wins a Bayern Munich kit signed by the French midfielder himself for his question: A lot of experts are saying that you are Zinedine Zidane's successor. What do you make of that suggestion?