Bayern fightback leaves Robben breathless

After scoring the goal that clinched his side's passage into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, FC Bayern München's Arjen Robben reflected on "a crazy game" in Florence.

Carrying a one-goal lead to ACF Fiorentina, Bayern were twice two behind on the night. Yet somehow they dug deep to claw back the advantage in the tie through Mark van Bommel, who reduced arrears following goals from Juan Vargas and Stevan Jovetić, and then Robben – replying to Jovetić's second effort with a sensational strike.

"It was an exciting game," Robben told UEFA.com, after his 65th-minute intervention ultimately sent Bayern through on away goals. "It was good to watch, good for the crowd, and in the end a good result for us. We improved in the second half, when it became a much more open game. We had more pace because they were also a little bit tired. Going 2-0 down didn't really change a lot but I think that's what we did well – because we knew we only needed one goal, 1-0 or 2-0 was no different."

Robben's decider, a 25-metre rocket into the top corner, will live long in the memory, particularly coming barely a minute after his team had gone two down for a second time. "It was a crazy game, it went up and down, and there were chances for both teams in the second half," the winger added. "Of course it was a nice goal – I was very happy with that – but I think we could have done better. We had more chances and could have scored another one."

Bayern's other Dutch international goalscorer was equally delighted with the outcome, not least because of the treacherous conditions. "It was a hard game in strange weather," midfielder Van Bommel told UEFA.com. "There was a lot of wind which troubled both teams. It went in our favour in the second half but helped Fiorentina's first goal too. They were very quick to take advantage and when the goalie failed to hold the ball they scored. We conceded another but knew that if we got one goal we could get extra time and fortunately we scored twice."

With his side trailing on the night and in the tie, Bayern's captain picked a good moment to register his first goal of this UEFA Champions League campaign. "My goal was thanks to a very good pass from Franck [Ribéry] and luckily my shot was helped a little by the wind. They moved really quickly from defence to attack, so after Arjen [Robben] scored a great goal we boxed clever and held on."

Van Bommel is now looking forward to the last-eight draw on 19 March – hoping to avoid one of his former clubs in particular. "Now we just have to get lucky as well with the draw. There are a lot of outside things that decide whether you go through or not, like playing the first game home or away. I just don't want to play Barcelona."