(Preview)Bayern's indispensable evergreen tries

A few months ago German Champions Bayern Munich was assumed to be on the verge of a generation change.

Things changed in autumn 2016.

In advance of the Bavarian's match in Group D against the Dutch side PSV Eindhoven this Tuesday evening, it is more than obvious that the 2013 Champions League winner can't survive the 2016/2017 Champions League campaign without its "old men" such as Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

While their scheduled successors such as Kingsley Coman (20), Douglas Costa (26) and Renato Sanches (19) find themselves in the middle of a form crisis, Dutch striker Robben shortly before his 33rd birthday seems to be in the shape of his life-time. Next to Robben, hopes are growing that French striker Ribery, who soon will turn 34, will be ready for action within the next weeks.

Robben and Ribery are the ones who can make the difference against lesser teams on the international stage and on top will be essential when it comes to decisive duels against the so called big guns in international football.

Robben and Ribery also seem to be the special forces in Bayern' s squad that are capable of supporting center forward Robert Lewandowski when it comes to desperately needed goals to make it to the final scheduled for Cardiff/Wales on June 3.

Meanwhile doubts seem to be shrinking when it comes to an extension of Robben's and Ribery' s contracts that run out in summer 2017. Both are most likely about to sign new contracts for at least another year.

The last weeks have convinced Bayern to abandon their concerns regarding the presumed age problems of their "old couple".

Robben and Ribery expressed their intentions to fight for their places in the team and pointed out it is not yet time for them to leave or finish their career.

Now both have proved that Bayern and their head-coach Carlo Ancelotti are still reliant on their unique abilities to raid opponents boxes and break down defensively-minded sides.

The 2016/2017 Champions League campaign might as well be the last dance for Robben and Ribery on the big stage of international football.

Robben has just recovered from a nearly six month long injury break. Ribery is currently sidelined due to an injury. Both in the last years have not managed to play a full season without injuries.

It will be one of the main tasks for coach Ancelotti to take a close look at the training and game intensity of his experienced but injury-prone strikers.

To lean on wise shoulders seems to be a well proven pattern in Ancelotti's career. In 2003, Champions League winner AC Milan had an age average of 30, which is similar to the one of Ancelotti's key squad at Bayern.

Four years later Ancelotti's side won Europe's top prize again with the nearly 38-year-old Paolo Maldini.

Looking at Ancelotti winning the English Premier League with Chelsea in 2010, his key figures such as Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard had already seen their 32nd birthdays.

Now Bayern Munich's evergreen must do the job as his golden oldies seem to have accompanied Ancelotti whenever he won a major title.

In Munich team-captain Philipp Lahm (32) is among the older generation like Xabi Alonso (34) and Manuel Neuer (30) - plus of course Robben and Ribery.

It won't be a big surprise to see Robben, Ribery and Lewandowski sign new contracts soon. It is not yet time to say good bye to the Bayern oldies.

In the past, Lewandowski and Robben were not what you would call close friends, more like rivals. After Bayern found itself in a minor crisis during the last weeks, Ancelotti and club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge suggested it would make sense for Lewandowski and Robben to talk things over.

"We spoke together and came about, if we collaborate better in the future it will be for the benefit of us all," Lewandowski said.

For the future it will be one of the main tasks of likely returning club president Uli Hoeness and his staff to make the right decisions when it comes to the change of generation at Bayern Munich.

But at present only youngster Joshua Kimmich (21) can satisfy the expectations while Renato Sanches, Kingsley Coman and Douglas Costa are far from what they can provide to make the prosperous youngsters in the team knock at the door.

For now, Bayern and Ancelotti will have to rely on their proven cornerstones of experience when it comes to this season's Champions League title. But to get their youngsters into the right shape will be vital in the next years.

Borussia Dortmund currently has an age average of only 24. This still might take some years. Listening to Ancelotti and his stories of success will make Bayern to keep his golden oldies as long as possible. Endit