The attacker says the weekend's match is "very, very important", while indicating that talks over a new deal are "not looking bad"
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery admits he must stay in control of his temper when the Bundesliga leaders face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
The experienced former France international has been scrutinised for much of this season for failing to keep his frustrations in check.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti criticised Ribery for clashing with Felipe Melo in pre-season against Inter, while similar incidents involving Hamburg's Nicolai Muller and Dortmund youngster Felix Passlack have prompted further questions over his temperament.
And the 33-year-old concedes that he will need to toe the line when the champions meet Thomas Tuchel's side at Signal Iduna Park.
"A match against Dortmund is always emotional," he told TZ. "But that's no problem. I know I have to control myself in these situations.
"The match is important, the atmosphere is tense and the fans want to see our best performance. You have to try and not let yourself to be bothered by that too much.
"It is very, very important for us. A match against Dortmund is like a derby - the pressure is always huge."
Bayern issued a denial on Thursday after it was claimed that Ribery had agreed a new contract to keep him at the Allianz Arena until 2018.
The former Marseille winger says negotiations are progressing well but stopped short of saying whether an agreement will be reached.
"It's not looking bad, but I can't say how the solution will look in the end," he said, before adding: "Bayern and I are like a couple."
Bayern Munich's 3-0 win over Hertha Berlin on Wednesday served as a powerful reminder that the old guard are not yet ready to call it a day.
After Franck Ribery scored the Bavarians' opener, substitute Arjen Robben grabbed the third seven minutes after coming on and men both were the talk of the town following a performance deemed "the best of the season" by Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Robben's 78th goal for the Reds, which came via his signature move -- a curling shot into the top corner signature shot after cutting in from the right -- put him level with fellow Dutchman Roy Makaay as the Bayern's third-leading foreign scorer in the Bundesliga, behind Giovane Elber and Claudio Pizarro.
It was Robben's first competitive appearance in six months after multiple adductor injuries and the Allianz Arena greeted his return with a standing ovation.
"It was a very nice moment for me," the 32-year-old said. "I have to thank [the supporters] for it. It made me think about all the things I did to come back. Today was a reward for all the hard work."
Time will tell whether Robben can continue to be a factor for Bayern this season -- "It would be nice if Arjen didn't get injured, was always there and played throughout a number of years," said captain Philipp Lahm -- but there can be no doubt about the importance that he and Ribery, the winger duo dubbed "Robbery" by the local press, hold in the Ancelotti set-up.
The Italian coach trusts creative players to come up with solutions in the final third and the individualistic streak that runs through the game of Robben and Ribery game is not just indulged but encouraged.
The Frenchman, who had felt hemmed in by Pep Guardiola's exacting instructions (and a little unloved, due to the Catalan's business-like relationship with players), clearly enjoys his renewed licence to roam freely. Robben, meanwhile, can concentrate on taking up that favourite position of his, wide on the right, coiled for the classic cut back in onto his left foot.
In addition, the two mavericks benefit from a slightly more reactive set-up under Ancelotti. Bayern press less and start attacks from deeper positions, which leaves them more space to run into.
Franck Ribery, left, joined Bayern Munich in 2007, two years before Arjen Robben, right.
"It's important to have [Robben and Ribery] available now that the big games are coming," Ancelotti said on Wednesday night. The 57-year-old knows all about extending the lifespan of experienced pros from his time at Milan, having coached the likes of Paolo Maldini, Clarence Seedorf and others into their mid-30s with great success.
One of the secrets to that was Ancelotti not rushing his players and keeping pressure and work levels in check. Robben hinted at "clever people" in the coaching set-up making sure he didn't come back to early. Guardiola's infamous impatience with injured players has given way to a much more cautious approach under Ancelotti when it comes to rehabilitation.
A couple of months ago, those tasked with recalibrating the Bayern squad for the post-Robben, post-Lahm and post-Ribery years, were working under the assumption that only one of the two wide forwards would be kept on beyond next summer; Robben and Ribery, who are in their eighth season of playing together, are out of contract in June.
Attempts to have four suitable replacements for next season are under way: Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman were bought last summer, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Julian Brandt and Serge Gnabry of Werder Bremen are under intense observation, along with half a dozen other contenders based outside Germany.
Ribery's strong performances have altered the club's thinking, however. If he and Robben stay healthy, they could both get one-year extensions, in recognition of past deeds and future prospects. Renewals with two fan favourites and veterans would also perfectly fit the "family ethos" espoused by Uli Hoeness, who is set to return as Bayern president in November.
Xabi Alonso can also harbour hopes of third year at Bayern; everyone at Sabener Strasse raves about the Spaniard's professional attitude and intelligence. Contract talks with the trio should start just before Christmas, when their contributions under Ancelotti -- as well as the progress of youngsters like Coman, Joshua Kimmich and Renato Sanches -- can be more fully evaluated.
In the meantime, the German champions believe that the uncertainty will act as a powerful incentive for "Robbery" in particular to perform well and earn new deals. There's a limited market for both and multiple-year offers by other clubs of a similar standing at their current wage levels -- each earns well in excess of €10 million annually -- are unlikely.
The wingers wouldn't be the first professionals to find consistency ahead of signing a contract extension. Bayern still have a need for them, both on the pitch as game changers and as big-name players providing competition for places.
Ancelotti's laissez faire regime needs to be offset by internal pressure and ambition, for fear of things becoming just a little too comfortable. Thus, the sight of Robben and Ribery tearing up the wings, as if it was 2013, is most welcome in that respect.
This will Pep Guardiola’s toughest challenge. It may take him three seasons to achieve what he wants at Manchester City. Guardiola will have to change what made him successful at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. And the Manchester City players will be sentenced to a period of unrelenting hard labour.
The judgments have been made by someone who has watched Guardiola on the training ground, has been privy to both the coach’s methods and his secrets and has earned the respect of the Catalan. Marti Perarnau spent a season with extraordinary access at Bayern Munich. He was allowed on to the training field, into the gyms and dressing rooms and into the players’ restaurant.
According the UEFA's statistics, Kingsley Coman is the fastest player at the Euro 2016 just ahead of Josh Maegennis of Northern Ireland and Emre Mor of Turkey.
The Bayern winger has had a breakthrough season in the Bundesliga while also shinning in the Champions League.
The youngster had to compete for minutes at club level with the likes of Arjen Robben, Douglas Costa and fellow French man Franck Ribery, while the Frenchman was a surprise inclusion in Deschamps' squad with the former Juventus manager choosing him over the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa or Mathieu Valbuena after impressing in friendly games.
The young forward will probably be on the bench for France's next game against Ireland on Sunday at the Stade de France as Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann are more likely to start, but his pace makes the 19-year-old increasingly likely to come off the bench against tired legs.
ayern Munich winger Franck Ribery says he will defy the doubts over his fitness and face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi final second leg on Tuesday.
The Frenchman has suffered with a back problem recently, but took part in the team's final training session ahead of the match on Monday.
Ribery says he wants to play in order to help Bayern reach the final in Milan on May 28.
"I am ready for the game," he told Kicker.
"I have really wanted to play and I will play."
The 33-year-old's degree of fitness is unknown, and he may not start the game, but Arjen Robben and Holger Badstuber are the only players definitely ruled out.
Bayern head into the game needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, in order to reach a first final of Pep Guardiola's reign in his final season in charge.
Franck Ribery says Bayern Munich are "like a family for me" as the Bundesliga leaders prepare to host Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery says he is grateful to the Bundesliga leaders for standing by him during his long absence due to injury.
Ribery missed almost a full calendar year of action with muscle and ankle problems but has won his place back in the Bayern side despite strong competition from Kingsley Coman and Douglas Costa.
Bayern - who are five points clear of Borussia Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga table - face Eintracht Frankfurt at home on Saturday and Ribery was in reflective mood ahead of the game.
"Bayern will always be a special club for me," Ribery told Bundesliga.com. "Over the years, I have had many offers, but Bayern have rejected them and today I am very happy that a change for either side is out of the question.
"I remember that the club always stood by me, even in bad times or when I was injured. You do not find this everywhere.
"It is difficult to say what will happen in a few years, but this is what I have in my head: Bayern is a labour of love for me. I look forward to every game. I have a lot of fun. Bayern are like a family for me."
Manuel Neuer is expected to shake off a stomach bug and the Bayern goalkeeper has the chance to collect his 150th top-flight clean sheet on Saturday, while Thomas Muller and Xabi Alonso are also close to personal milestones.
Alonso could make his 50th Bundesliga appearance and Muller is within two goals of reaching 150 strikes for Bayern, who have won nine of their last 10 home games against Eintracht.
The visitors, 17th in the Bundesliga table but only in the relegation places on goal difference, are coached by former Bayern players Niko and Robert Kovac, with elder brother Niko expecting his side to face a "very, very, very difficult task" against Bayern.
Robert Kovac told Bayern Magazin that the league leaders will not be distracted by their upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Benfica.
"No way! The Bayern players have a very professional attitude and when you play for this club success is everything," he said.
"I won more trophies with FC Bayern than anywhere else. In this sense Munich was a very special part of my career."
Joshua Kimmich is available for Bayern but Arjen Robben (abductor), Holger Badstuber (ankle) and Jerome Boateng (groin) are all out, while Eintracht will be without Alexander Meier (knee). Anderson Bamba and Johannes Flum are long-term absentees for the Kovac brothers' side.
Key Opta facts:
- Bayern haven't conceded against SGE for 667 minutes and are just three minutes short of a new Bundesliga record (Gladbach kept Bielefeld at bay for 669 minutes, 2003-2009). - Bayern lead the home rankings in 2015-16; Eintracht have the worst away record (9 points). - Robert Lewandowski set a new personal season best by netting his 25th goal of the Bundesliga season last time out. - FCB have conceded just 13 goals this term – equalling the record they first set three seasons ago. Guardiola’s men have kept 17 clean sheets this season.
BERLIN, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Assessing Pep Guardiola and his era at Bayern Munich might be complicated. Has the 45-year-old football mastermind been successful in his three years or not? Was the Catalonian the right coach at the right time? You might get diverse answers depending on your perspective.
Fact is: Looking at the upcoming months, Guardiola and Bayern face the maybe toughest challenge ever. You might say there is just a job to do. Sure there is, but the situation couldn't be more complex as Guardiola in December announced to leave next summer and Bayern promptly presented Carlo Ancelotti as their next coach. When considering Guardiola's Bavarian era, winning the Champions League or failing again might help to create answers. The next approximately four months will be Guardiola's hardest ride in his career so far.
The perhaps most important question that has to be answered is: Is it enough when you can call a coach a development worker at this high level or is it vital that you win international titles besides the national successes?
It seems to be the key question and a heavy burden on the shoulders of all in Munich. 2013 Jupp Heynckes achieved what Guardiola is dreaming of despite the latter seemingly hiding his true feelings by statements that try to indicate a man at ease. Heynckes, knowing he would leave, won the treble.
"Titles are just numbers. Football is emotion," said Guardiola recently. He asked to be admired for the "football my team plays, not for the trophies I won, titles are nothing." He is both right and wrong. A coach taking over a club like Bayern Munich has to win international titles. That is part of his job profile. Looking at Bayern's style with Guardiola in charge, even critical pundits must admit: Bayern's play has never before been of such beauty. Under Guardiola, Bayern has no longer been accused of playing ice-cold football and being lucky. Non-Bayern fans called it "Bayern-luck" (Bayern-Dusel).
But after all, Guardiola was employed to develop Bayern Munich which he has undoubtedly done when it comes to tactics and flexibility. Bayern need and wanted an international figure like him to push the club forward to new international heights. Bayern wanted to close the gap to the big boys like Real Madrid and Barcelona. Today you would say, they have (well Guardiola has), but the final proof is still lacking. It will come if Bayern reverses previous results when they were painfully beaten in the past two years by Real and Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League.
Today the judgement on him has changed. Guardiola is seen less than a magical coach but more as a pragmatist who is not inevitably part of the furniture standing for emotions. This has turned out to be a certain problem in a club built on emotions and "homemade" world class stars. Guardiola lets on only very little keeping most of his thoughts to himself. His next challenge will be not to lose a team of individuals that have a high amount of self-motivation and keep an eye on the team spirit. Not all of Bayern's top players are sad about him leaving (for instance Franck Ribery). Guardiola has to watch his relationship to every squad member until he leaves.
After all Bayern and Guardiola for the rest of their time together can be seen as a partnership of convenience that has been through a lot of power struggles after Guardiola tried to test his influence within the club before being limited by the club bosses when it came to transfer decision-making and the battles with the team doctor.
Hesitating to make a clear statement and stay longer, Guardiola first lost a lot of sympathy and the understanding of Uli Hoeness. But now the former club president is the man everybody at Bayern Munich is counting on as he will leave jail after serving the two-year sentence for tax offences. When the second half of the German Bundesliga seasons kicks off this Friday evening with Bayern Munich's game in Hamburg, the imminent return of Hoeness (until now he is responsible for the club's youth teams) might help solve possible problems during the last meters of Guardiola and Bayern. The first serious test is waiting when Guardiola and Bayern meet Juventus Turin mid-February and mid-March in the round of the last 16 in the Champions League.
What Guardiola and Bayern need to do is to create a happy end and to get off to a good start in the second leg of the season as seven of their first ten games are away. They have to be aware that partnerships in football are most of the time contracts for a certain time, but not always a long-lasting love affair.
At the end Guardiola will have won several titles with Bayern (to date two German championships, one cup win, the European Supercup and the Club World Cup) and everyone has to decide if it was an inspiring and successful time together, no matter the number of titles.
