Bayern’s Robben and Schalke’s Raul:
‘Everyone involved is up for this game’
29.04.2011
From 2007 to 2009, Bayern star Arjen Robben and Schalke hitman Raúl Gonzalez Blanco, always known by the short form Raul played together for Real Madrid, winning the Spanish championship as team-mates in 2008. Real legend Raul joined Schalke 04 at the start of the season, immediately making a huge contribution to the Royal Blues’ spectacular runs in the Champions League and DFB Cup. Ahead of Saturday evening’s Bundesliga clash between Bayern and Schalke at the Allianz Arena, FCB’s official journal Bayern Magazin spoke to both former team-mates. fcbayern.de presents excerpts from the double interview.
Double interview: Arjen Robben and Raul:
Raul, following Schalke’s momentous triumph against Inter in the Champions League quarter-finals, you celebrated with the fans up on the retaining fence. How did you like it up there, and did you know what you’re supposed to do?
Raul: “It was completely new territory for me. I enjoyed the moment, although I basically didn’t know what I was supposed to shout into the megaphone. But celebrating this amazing success with the fans was a fantastic feeling. With all the ecstatic fans around me, I felt like a kid again.“
Did either of you experience anything like it in Spain?
Raul: “No, I never did anything like that in Madrid, because it’s not normal in Spain. I was totally unaccustomed to the situation. The fans here really express their passion and emotion, it was an amazing experinece.
Robben: “I’ve unfortunately not seen what happened, but I can imagine everyone involved really enjoyed it. The players do celebrate with the crowd in Spain, but not so intensively or up on the fence.“
What’s the main difference between La Liga and the Bundesliga?
Raul: “The huge size of the crowds is new to me. Spain isn’t anything like it. And the Bundesliga is so evenly-matched: Every team is capable of beating every other, you see it every weekend. Spain is a bit different. It’s generally between Real Madrid and Barcelona for the title.“
Robben: “The football in Spain is more about skill and technique. Every team tries to play good football. The physical side, with plenty of running and hard tackling, plays more of a role in the Bundesliga.“
Arjen, you settled immediately after leaving Madrid for Munich, but it took Raul a couple of months to find his feet. Were you surprised by that?
Robben: “It’s normal when you arrive in a new country and a new league. So much was new for him. He doesn’t speak the language, and had spent his entire career with Real, where he’s a living legend. You’ll always need time after a huge step like that. But I knew he’d make an impact, because he has so much quality, which we’ve seen more and more over the last few weeks.“
You mean his qualities as a striker?
Robben: “He’s a terrific player with so many goals to his name already. His play is highly intelligent, he’s tactically skilled and he has tremendous technique. And he has a good eye for a team-mate. You can add his vast experience to that. He’s not the quickest any more, but he remains exceptionally dangerous.“
Raul, Schalke have already beaten Bayern twice this season, and you yourself scored the winning goal in the cup semi-final. Are you looking forward to Saturday’s meeting at the Allianz Arena?
Raul: “For us, it comes between the home and away Champions League semi-finals against Manchester United, but this much is clear: as a pro, you always look forward to these matches. A full stadium, two top teams, and the special edge when Schalke play Bayern – I reckon everyone involved is up for this game.
Robben: “Bayern versus Schalke is always special, with a real edge to the fixture. These are two very big clubs. Schalke are some way off the top of the table for now, but they have a very strong team, as we’ve seen in the Champions League and the DFB Cup.“
Credit: FC Bayern Munich (www.fcbayern.t-com.de)
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