The difference in the 2012 Bundesliga title race could come down to Arjen Robben's failure to convert a penalty kick for Bayern Munich in Wednesday's game at Borussia Dortmund. His crucial miss in the 86th minute preserved Dortmund's 1-0 win, which looks to have handed the title to the defending champions.

Robben's penalty attempt was saved by Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, leaving Bayern Munich six points behind Dortmund with four games left.

"That is very bitter and very disappointing," said Robben. "In the last three years I have converted 10 or 11 penalties in succession. That was the first one I have missed and, yes, that was really embarrassing."

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes refused to blame Robben. "Normally, he is a very reliable penalty taker," said Heynckes. "He has played well in the last few weeks and I don't blame him, he was the most annoyed by his miss."

But former Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has said Robben should not have taken the penalty. "He is a world class-player, he will get over it, but for me, he should not have taken the shot," said Beckenbauer. "As a coach, I had the rule that any player who is fouled doesn't shoot. Maybe that is no longer the rule with Bayern or maybe it has not got through to Holland yet."