Arjen Robben’s one-time wonder volley vs. Manchester United (7th April 2010)
Manchester United and Bayern have been involved in historic Champions League games. The 2009/10 campaign saw the two sides meet each other in the quarter-final. The Bavarians entered the second leg at Old Trafford with a slender 2-1 advantage from the home leg.
The advantage from the first leg evaporated quickly at Old Trafford. Manchester United raced away to a three-goal lead on the night before Ivica Olic got one back just before the break to give Bayern a fighting chance for the second half.
In the 74th minute, Bayern were awarded a left-sided corner. By then United were defending with everything as they had been reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute when defender Rafael was sent off. With the opposition’s 18-yard box being crowded to defend the corner the Robbery duo decided to try something seldom seen.
Franck Ribery took the corner with his right foot. Instead of swinging it into the box he delivered it towards the edge of the penalty box to find Arjen Robben. The training ground routine was completed by the Dutchman with a wonderful strike. His first-time volley combined precision and power as it beat Edwin van der Sar low to his right, just inches inside the post. Courtesy of Robben’s goal Die Roten qualified for the semi-final stage through the away goals rule.