Robben Injury Casts Shadow on Bayern Munich Win, Raises Questions on His Future

The Carlo Ancelotti era at Bayern Munich appeared to begin on a good note on Saturday, as the four-time defending Bundesliga champions won their first preseason friendly, against Lippstadt, 4-3.

There were some serious positives to take from the match, including veterans Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben both getting on the scoresheet and forgotten prodigy Julian Green perhaps being the man of the match with a goal and an assist.

Yet despite all the positives, there was one serious cause for concern: Robben pulled up with an injury after half an hour and was forced to leave the pitch. The club announced on Sunday that it was a groin problem that would likely see him sidelined for six weeks, making him a serious doubt for the Bundesliga opener against Werder Bremen on August 26.

Robben's injury came just days after this author asserted he was the man to watch this preseason because he had a point to prove. The Dutchman had a tumultuous 2015-16 campaign, failing to qualify for Euro 2016 with the Netherlands and scoring just seven goals in all competitions. It wasn't a lack of form that was the problem so much as it was his many injuries. He missed 31 of Bayern's games last season and played in under 1,500 minutes in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Robben's body let him down time and again last season, and he must have been keen to put his best foot forward and rediscover his brilliance at the start of the forthcoming campaign. Yet despite a lengthy summer break, he again has failed to live up to the physical burden required of him, even before the 2016-17 campaign has kicked off.

For many players, the situation Robben faces would not be so critical; a bit of patience and hard work would surely pay off. But for a footballer aged 32-and-a-half years old, it's more complicated. A player who has always relied on his pace, Robben may never get back the same explosive acceleration he once had.

Neuromuscular velocity typically begins to fall around his age, and the adductor muscle he injured on Saturday is a key component to acceleration, especially laterally. Therefore, it will take time for Robben to recover his quickness and agility, even after he returns to the pitch. And there isn't a guarantee it will all be there when he does make his comeback.

Bayern are fortunate to have a strong team with plenty of depth in attack. Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman made huge progress last season, the former reaching new heights despite looking to have already approached his ceiling while at Shakhtar Donetsk previously. And the latter's development was a real shock given his age; even as a teenager, the recently turned 20-year-old was never shy to show his talent and at times even stepped up in a leadership role.

Costa and Coman's emergences will be considered a great thing for Bayern, although it raises further concerns over Robben, who has seen his role at the club transform drastically in the last 12 months.

Once upon a time, Bayern were the team of Robben and Ribery. But following an injury-riddled 2014-15, the Frenchman's status took a hit. And as Robben missed much of last season, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski became the marquee names at the Allianz Arena as Costa and Coman emerged as their sidekicks.

A fit-again Ribery joined the supporting cast in the spring, giving some vintage performances and proving he still has something to offer the Bavarian giants. He did turn 33 years of age in April, though, and he has just one year left on his contract.

"

I can imagine Coman having a crazy good season for Bayern next year and replacing Robben/Ribery in the starting XI.

— Cristian Nyari (@CrisNyari) June 19, 2016"

Robben similarly has only a year left in Munich unless he and the club agree to terms on a contract extension, which appears decreasingly likely.

The Dutchman will forever be remembered as a hero in Munich, his brilliance in the Champions League in 2010 and 2013—particularly the final of the latter, during which he assisted the opener and scored the winner, being real highlights in his career and in the club's history. But he is extremely injury-prone, and it's hard to see him recovering and becoming the player he once was, especially with competition so great among the Bundesliga record champions.

As it stands, Robben has just under a year to prove he's worthy of an extension or worth another big investment from another team. That's the way it always was heading into 2016-17, but after Saturday's setback, the Dutchman is further against the wall. Robben has overcome greater hurdles in his career, perhaps but will have a truly monumental task when he returns to action in late August. 

@Mr_Bundesliga