Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes has admitted that some of his players didn't feel up to the task of taking a penalty in last night's Champions League final shootout.
The German side lost out at their home stadium to Chelsea after Didier Drogba followed up his late equaliser in normal time by scoring the winning spot kick.
Bayern looked to have the advantage in a tense finale after Juan Mata missed the first penalty for Chelsea but Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger were denied by Petr Cech as Chelsea became the first London club to win the famous competition.
Heynckes has since revealed that some players, including Arjen Robben who missed a penalty in the opening minutes of extra time, declined to step up in shootout which meant that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer took Munich's third penalty.
"Some players were not really sure whether they should or not participate in the penalty shootout," the 67-year-old told reporters. "That's perfectly legitimate, if a player doesn't think he is fit then I designate other people to shoot, among them Neuer."
The German number one showed no nerve from the spot and just beat counterpart Cech's right hand.
Speaking of Robben, Heynckes added: "I guess you can understand that if he didn't score a penalty in extra time that he may have lost some self-confidence to participate in the shootout.
"This must be understood and is easily done."
Bayern have now lost out in three recent finals, losing late to Manchester United in 1999 and falling to Inter Milan in 2010.
Pascal Lemesre
