Bayern Ace Robben Expects Tough Dortmund Battle Ahead of Crunch Bundesliga Clash

Arjen Robben has stated his belief that Borussia Dortmund will give Bayern Munich a "good battle" when the German giants lock horns on Saturday.

The veteran forward spoke to the official Bundesliga website ahead of the top-of-the-table clash at the Allianz Arena, and admitted that Die Borussen would be a formidable foe to overcome.

Bayern and Dortmund matches have been tasty affairs in the past 10 years as the latter became a force in German football, and Robben expects nothing else from a side that has purred under new boss Peter Bosz so far this season.

He said: "It's always a good battle between both teams. I've been at Bayern for eight years now, this is my ninth season. 

"When I first moved here they were not challenging at the top of the league, but now they are. It's always very competitive and there have been a lot of great games in the past.

"They have always been physical, strong and aggressive. They are dangerous on the counter attack. They have a lot of pace in their team. But they are playing differently I think, they turn defence into attack very quickly. 

"Peter Bosz wants them to win the ball back within only a few seconds of losing it. That's what he asks of his team."

Bayern themselves installed a new manager in their dugout this term when legendary head coach Jupp Heynckes returned to replace the sacked Carlo Ancelotti in October.

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Asked about his relationship with his new gaffer, Robben explained that he was happy to work under Heynckes again and backed the 72-year-old to help steer Bayern to yet more title glory in 2017/18.

He added: " [Our relationship is] very good, we have obviously already worked with each other. Several other players know him well so we know how he works, what he demands from his team as a team but also as individual players. 

"It's important that he knows the team, he knows how the team works and that is exactly what we need at the moment."