Break for R&R on Ribéry’s birthday

Rest and recuperation was the order of the day for the Bayern troops on Thursday. Two days after the 1-0 Champions League quarter-final victory over Benfica, Pep Guardiola gave his men the day off for them to recharge their batteries and refocus. The only players out on the Säbener Strasse practice ground were Jérôme Boateng and Mehdi Benatia, both completing rehab programmes as they work their way back from injury. Holger Badstuber and Arjen Robben performed their rehab drills in the performance centre. Guardiola has ordered his men back in for squad training on Friday prior to the Bundesliga clash away to Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon.

Bon anniversaire, Franck!

Very best wishes Franck Ribéry! Bayern’s French superstar celebrated his 33rd birthday on Thursday. The social networks were chock full of congratulations for the much-loved winger from fans and team-mates - on Facebook and Twitter for example.