Categories: World Soccer

Heynckes leaves out Robben, Ribery for Besiktas clash

Heynckes, 72, also selected James Rodriguez to play alongside Javi Martinez and Arturo Vidal in midfield for the last-16 first leg, with Robert Lewandowski up front.

Ribery and Robben, veterans of Bayern’s last Champions League triumph in 2013, were left out as Heynckes switched captain Mueller to the right-hand side with French winger Coman on the left.

Ribery has only recently returned from a knee injury, but it is a surprise that Dutchman Robben, who scored the winner in the final five years ago, failed to make the starting XI.

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Bayern are hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the seventh year in a row.

Besiktas coach Senol Gunes has brought winger Ricardo Quaresma, a Euro 2016 winnner with Portugal, and centre-back Domagoj Vida back into the starting line-up.

Defenders Dusko Tosic and Atinc Nukan, along with midfielders Veli Kavlak and Gokhan Tore, are all out injured for the visitors.

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Canadian midfielder Atiba Hutchinson captains the side, which is spearheaded by Brazilian forward Vagner Love.

Starting line-ups

Bayern Munich (4-1-4-1)

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Sven Ulreich – Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, David Alaba – Javi Martinez – Thomas Mueller (capt), Arturo Vidal, James Rodriguez, Kingsley Coman – Robert Lewandowski

Coach: Jupp Heynckes (GER)

Besiktas (4-2-3-1)

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Fabri – Adriano, Pepe, Domagoj Vida, Caner Erkin – Atiba Hutchinson (capt), Gary Medel – Ricardo Quaresma, Talisca, Ryan Babel – Vagner Love

Coach: Senol Gunes (TUR)

Referee: Ovidiu Hategan (ROU)

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By Agence France Presse