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Robben wasn't even in the Bayern team until Kroos got injured around the time of the games against Arsenal. Admittedly, Robben making the list for a couple of months good play is more reasonable than when players get on the list for a couple of weeks good play in the Euros/World Cup, but it's...

They shouldn't have it again for a long time since they've had two in quick succession.

Was quite interesting watching an Italian ref operating to a different standard. Was far more inclined to let the game flow and was much slower to book people than he normally would be in a Serie A game.

You may be right about that. I did wonder before the game if Dortmund should go for more muscle in midfield and play Kehl instead of Grosskreutz and play more of a 4-3-3. Not convinced that would really have helped, though.

Well that wasn't a terribly interesting final. Quite entertaining, as finals go, but both teams too intent on running around very fast rather than actually doing anything much good. Both sides are much better to watch when Goetze and Kroos are playing and just shifting the balance slightly...

http://video.gazzetta.it/borussia-bayern-scontri/9026a468-c55b-11e2-814e-792334cbdbf2

That would be my guess. Other option would be to go with an extra man in midfield and play more like 4-3-3 with Kehl, Bender and Gundogan in the middle with Reus and Błaszczykowski off Lewandowski. Klopp doesn't seem that inclined to change shape, though, so I'd expect Grosskreutz to play and...

It's not that long ago that they played the CL Final in Rome, and that's another classic bowl, running track stadium, so I'm not sure that it's something that bothers them.

Think they've updated it a bit since Jesse Owens beat Hitler in the 100m at the Olympics.

Yeah, I see no reason fo conspiracy theories. He was seen going off against Real Madrid with the injury. It's not like he's suddenly got some mysterious niggle in training or something.

To do the deal. Do the normal quiet thing and agree a contract with Goetze at whatever point, but I don't see why they had to go and activate the clause when they did instead of waiting until, for instance, the day after the CL Final.

BVB had no choice because Bayern paid the release clause in the contract. However, given that they had decided to pay the release clause, I don't see why they couldn't have waited until the summer.

I would also say that Bayern have been the best team in Europe this season, so I'd have no problem with them winning from that point of view.

I'm torn. I think that with Dortmund's team appearing to be breaking up a bit, this may be their one chance at winning the CL and I'd be happy to see them get the reward for the great football they've played over the last few years. On the other hand, I've been saying for months that I thought...

Klopp interview: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/21/jurgen-klopp-borussia-dortmund-champions-league - - - Updated - - - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/may/21/champions-league-super-clubs

I'd sooner have him work more in big games and rest him in an few extra easy home games in La Liga. Anyway, if Real make good signings in the summer this shouldn't be a problem as they ought to have the strength to be able to let him not do much defending.

It's not specifically about the goals that were conceded against BVB. They looked exposed against Man Utd as well and against BVB in the group. Ronaldo isn't providing enough of a counter-attacking threat in those games, to my mind, to justify giving him no defensive responsibilities. Maybe...

The less space the weak links have to cover, the less likely the are to be exposed. And Real's defence and midfield aren't as bad as you are making them out to be.

Anyway, maybe all of the goals could have been prevented, maybe none of them. If Ronaldo did more, it would make it easier for Real to maintain a compact shape and deny opponents space in key areas. Just now, either the left-back is exposed or the midfield has to cover a lot of ground on that...

What a curious counter-argument.