Franck Ribéry has completed the full squad training programme for two weeks now, and has additionally spent recent days on an intense individual exercise regime. He had been hoping for a first-team comeback against Steaua Bucharest in midweek, or at the latest on Saturday when Bayern entertain Werder Bremen at the Allianz Arena, but in the event, the France star will miss the Bundesliga’s match of the day.
“Franck isn’t injured. His muscles have gone tight, which is only to be expected after the work he’s put in over the last week,” revealed Bayern boss Jürgen Klinsmann on Friday afternoon. “He really gave it everything yesterday because he was looking forward to the match so much," Klinsmann continued, but Ribéry felt a reaction to his workout afterwards and reported to club chief medic Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt on Friday morning.
Comeback set for Wednesday
“Müller-Wohlfahrt said it basically wouldn’t be a problem for Franck to play tomorrow, but there’s always a minor element of risk,” Klinsmann explained, “a couple of days more or less don’t matter now.“ Ribéry is instead set to return for next Wednesday’s Cup showdown with state rivals 1. FC Nürnberg.
Bayern could also be without Miroslav Klose when Bremen come to Munich on Saturday. “Miro came away from Bucharest with a really nasty dead leg,” the coach reported after the midweek Champions League trip. “It was a lot better for him today than yesterday. We’ll wait and see if it makes sense for him to play tomorrow.”
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