Ribery: I must control temper against Dortmund

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.​"​

More games: friv

Robben, Ribery could have Bayern futures if they retain fitness and form

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.

Hugh MacDonald meets Marti Perarnau: The Man who knows Pep Guardiola best

THE verdicts are delivered without fuss.

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.

Coman is Euro 2016's fastest player

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.

Ribery declares himself fit for second leg

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.

I have really wanted to play and I will play"

Ribéry

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.

Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt: Ribery grateful for club support

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.

Guardiol' s hardest ride

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.

Bayern Munich should sell Franck Ribery as soon as possible

The 32-year-old Frenchmen is a chronic injury risk and at some point that uncertainty costs Bayern Munich.

When healthy, Franck Ribery is still one of the best footballers in the world. His acumen on the dribble is second-to-none, his passing is sublime, and his directness for goal injects his teams with furiosity in attack. Then again, all of that skill comes with the caveat of "when healthy".

And Franck Ribery hasn't been healthy in nearly three years and it's starting to affect Bayern Munich. His minor-that-became-major injury from last March cost him nine months and he still wasn't fully fit when he returned. Injury followed and that's now cost him another nearly three months as he's not due to return until sometime in February, according to Kicker.

When Arjen Robben and Douglas Costa went down with injury in the Hinrunde, Bayern Munich were left with their sole healthy winger in young, inexperienced Kingsley Coman. As part of a diverse attack, Coman is a wonderful player but when he was asked to be the main foci of breaking down opposition defenses he struggled. And the reason he was left to his own devices? Because functionally Bayern Munich's depth equation is incomplete because they are planning that part of their roster around uncertainty. And who can blame them when it's a talent as prodigious as Ribery?

Like it or not, Costa, Robben, and Coman are going to get injured. It's the nature of the game and Bayern Munich need a secondary option that's reliable. Whether that's a depth option like Patrick Weihrauch or Julian Green or another young player in the mold of Kingsley Coman, Bayern Munich need depth that can be counted on to be there when the rest of the core is down.

And when counting on Bayern youth products Bayern Munich need to be able to realistically assess their contributions and make a determination as to whether they have a long term future. That involves giving them 10-20 minutes run outs in Bundesliga games and not dropping those minutes on trying to get Franck Ribery back to fitness.

As we saw this off season, this is a team starting their transition. The departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger was in some ways a benchmark for massive changes. Pep Guardiola's tenure is coming to an end soon and Carlo Ancelotti is going to have some serious choices to make about this team's structure. And you have to start that transition somewhere and removing a €12M chronically injured budget eater is a good place to start. Ribery's place on the roster is dead weight that robs Bayern Munich of the opportunity to bring in his successor and creates rippling issues when injuries occur to the rest of Bayern Munich's wide players.

With Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid staring 12-month transfer bans in the face next month, and a host of English clubs potentially in the same boat, the market for a temporary 32-year-old winger of Ribery's pedigree has probably never been higher. With Guardiola leaving in six months and Ancelotti coming in, now, or soon, is the time window in which Bayern Munich should be moving. They could regret it if Ribery returns to full fitness and has no more injury issues, but there's always inherent risk when making a decision about a player of Ribery's skill. But he's cost Bayern Munich so much over the last two years just due to uncertainty that at some point moving on becomes necessary.

Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery closing in on comeback

Bayern's Franck Ribery is closing in on a comeback after eight months out.

 Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has described his eight-month injury absence as the "most difficult time" of his career.

The 32-year-old has been sidelined since March due to an ankle problem but is closing in on a return for Pep Guardiola's Bundesliga leaders.

And the former France international believes once he is fit it will not take long before he is back to his best.

"It's been the most difficult time of my career," said Ribery in Kicker magazine.

"It's tough when you don't know when and how things are going to move on, but no worries - I'll be my old self again soon.

"I'm feeling good. I do still feel my ankle a little, but when I am warm, I don't feel anything anymore."

Ribery only recently returned to light training and he is not going to rush his return.

"My body's first got to get used to the exertions," he said. "Since I was wearing a plaster cast, I lost a lot of muscle and it was a long break.

"You've got to take things slowly. It would be nice to be back (in full training) in two or three weeks, to get that feeling of being part of a group back, to laugh with the lads and have fun - I've missed all that."

While no specific date has been put on when Ribery might play again, Bayern are hoping to have him back in action prior to the winter break.

Franck Ribery close to Bayern team training comeback - Matthias Sammer

Franck Ribery could return to Bayern Munich team training later in November after being sidelined since March 2015, with the club's sporting executive Matthias Sammer describing the winger as a "fighter."

Ribery, 32, has been out of action since injuring his right ankle eight months ago in a Champions League match against Shakthar Donetsk.

The former France international has in the past voiced his frustration about the slow healing process, and Bayern have so far failed to give an exact return date for Ribery.

However, Ribery has resumed individual training at Bayern's training facilities on Sabener Strasse in recent weeks, and, according to Sammer, is closing in on a return to team training.

"The trend's positive, he's feeling well," Sammer told kicker. "He's already back on the pitch completing laps. He's back in his football boots, and has already completed different runs with the ball. We are out of the deep valley."

The sporting executive said that Ribery has been seen joking at the training ground, and that while "it is still not an easy path," the winger will eventually return despite reports suggesting he may never play football again.

"He's a fighter," Sammer said. "He has always signalled that he has not given up hope, and that was the most important message for me."

While Sammer did not give a return date for Ribery, kicker reported that Bayern hope he can resume team training in November, and be back on the pitch when the league restarts in late January.

Meanwhile, defender Holger Badstuber is one step ahead of his teammate, returning to Bundesliga action in the 4-0 win against Stuttgart 200 days after suffering a muscle injury in April.

The 26-year-old came off the bench for Thomas Muller after 59 minutes, and was welcomed with a loud roar from the Allianz Arena crowd.

"It was an unbelievable reception. It was very emotional," said the Germany international, who has struggled with injuries since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in December 2012. "It sent shivers down my spine."

Pep Guardiola was also impressed with the reception, telling reporters: "What our fans did for Holger was very emotional."

The Catalan coach went on to praise midfield youngster Joshua Kimmich, who won his fourth start at Bayern.

The 20-year-old left Stuttgart for Bayern this summer on a five-year deal following a loan spell at RB Leipzig.

When Guardiola told his news conference that the lack of playing time for Kimmich was "unfair," his Stuttgart counterpart Alexander Zorniger -- who coached the midfielder at Leipzig -- weighed in.

"We could give him some playing time," Zorniger suggested, to which Guardiola responded: "No, he'll stay here. Joshua Kimmich is nearly my son. He's incredible in every training [session], he was incredible against [Dinamo] Zagreb, and he was incredible today."

CHELSEA LOOK FOR SOLACE IN EUROPE

Chelsea will host Maccabi Tel Aviv in its Champions League Group G opener on Wednesday, needing a win to take some pressure off manager Jose Mourinho.

The Blues have lost three of its opening five games — the latest a 3-1 loss to Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday — and is languishing in 17th spot in the domestic competition.

Only four months ago, he was lifting the Premier League title at Stamford Bridge for the third time as Chelsea cruised to its fourth championship, eight points ahead of runner-up Manchester City. Now, the Blues already trail Manuel Pellegrini’s side by 11.

Owner Roman Abramovich runs the club discreetly but he is impatient for success and a dispute with Mourinho was a factor in his departure the first time around in 2007.

So when the Blues take on the Israeli club,  Chelsea is expected to win comfortably and anything other than an assured display will only heighten the pressure on Mourinho.

Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were cornerstones of Chelsea’s premier league-winning team but their low performance levels so far this season have been a contributing factor to the club’s woeful start.

Mourinho could be tempted to rotate his team, with Loic Remy in attack and Brazil international Oscar pushing to replace Hazard. With a clash against fierce London rival Arsenal on Saturday, it is important for Chelsea to quickly return to winning ways.

Porto, which Mourinho led to the Champions League title in 2004, take on and Dynamo Kiev in other group game.

Iker Casillas has played 152 games in Europe’s top club competition in a Real Madrid shirt. His 153rd appearance will be in FC Porto’s colors.

The 34-year-old Spain goalkeepermoved to Portugal in the summer. He has conceded two goals in four Portuguese league games so far and Porto shares top spot. However Porto’s coach Julen Lopetegui will serve a touchline ban when they travel to the Ukrainian capital.

Barca travel to Rome

ROME: When Lionel Messi and Barcelona open their Champions League title defense at Roma on Wednesday, the Giallorossi will be eager to show they can no longer be pushed around by European powers.

“Barcelona is an immense club, the defending champion, they’ve won their first three Liga matches, but there’s no point in saying great things about this squad,” Roma coach Rudi Garcia said.

Roma has had a strong start to Serie A, beating last season’s Champions League runner-up Juventus 2-1, and showing strong potential with an impressive array of new players in Edin Dzeko, Iago Falque, Mohamed Salah, and Wojciech Szczesny. But Garcia will be without key playmaker Miralem Pjanic due to a right calf strain.

Bayer Leverkusen hosts BATE Borisov in the other Group E match.

Lionel Messi is set to make his 100th appearance in the Champions League and look to add to his record 77 goals in the competition — a mark he shares with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona is without Dani Alves.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich begins the quest for its sixth European Cup at Olympiakos on Wednesday, while Arsenal opens its 18th successive Champions League campaign at Dinamo Zagreb.

Dinamo, back in the competition after a two-year absence, is on a 41-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. The Croatian champion has never previously qualified from the group stage in four previous attempts.

Bayern, the 2013 champion, is also hoping to go at least one stage further after semifinal exits the past two seasons.

Pep Guardiola’s tenure as Bayern coach will be judged on success in Europe this season, likely his last with the Bavarian club.

After taking over Jupp Heynckes’ treble winning side in 2013, Guardiola has enjoyed overwhelming Bundesliga success while crashing out in successive seasons to eventual champions in the Champions League semifinals. Last May’s 5-3 aggregate loss to Barcelona was at least an improvement on the 5-0 defeat to Real Madrid the previous year.

Now in the final year of his contract, with no indication yet of whether he will extend, Guardiola is under pressure to lead Bayern to its sixth European title in his third attempt.

Wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are ruled out through injury, while attacking midfielder Mario Goetze should have overcome a muscle strain that kept him out of action Saturday.

ARSENAL’S STRIKING ISSUE

London: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger came under intense scrutiny from the English media for not signing a striker in the summer transfer window, with doubts about Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud’s ability to consistently deliver at the highest level and Danny Welbeck out until Christmas with a knee injury.

But Walcott and Giroud vindicated Wenger on Saturday, each finding the back of the net against Stoke to lead Arsenal to a 2-0 win, its first at home this season.

Bayern Munich puzzle over Guardiola, Robben and Ribery

BERLIN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- While Bayern Munich won their curtain raiser in this season' s Champions League at Greek champions Olympiacos Piraeus 3-0 (0-0) with a Thomas Mueller brace (30st goal in the Champions League) and a Mario Goetze strike, fans around the world are discussing the future of their favorite club and its protagonists.

It is not only the uncertainties surrounding Bayern coach Pep Guardiola that is keeping the fans' minds busy but also the future of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben. Both missed Bayern' s Group F opener due to injury.

Replacing them this time was no problem. Bayern was in complete control despite failing to score in the first half and their problems with a strong Piraeus defense. Starting with a 3-4-3 system, Bayern dominated throughout and remained patient and fully deserved to wrap up their first three points by scoring three goals after half time.

"It was not an easy game as Piraeus is a strong side at home. Last year they have beaten teams like Manchester and Juventus. We had a hard time in the beginning, but managed to win in the end, which is a message too," Mueller said.

However a team like Piraeus isn' t the biggest challenge anyway for the Germans, who won their 12th Champions League opener. The coach and two key figures are the top topic right now. Some fans hope that when Guardiola decides to leave, it might at least have a positive effect on the team and club in that it unite them even more to serve up a happy end.

According to rumors, Bayern are working on the topic of a new coach with great intensity. So they won' t be helpless when the 44-year-old Spaniard announces his departure after three years, which is what most pundits are expecting. Guardiola keeps his future to himself and does not earn applause from everybody but Bayern' s officials are keeping silent because they want everybody to concentrate on the fourth consecutive German title and more importantly on the Champions League. To win the most important club competition is no less important for Guardiola himself as it would turn his era in Germany into an excellent one.

Only Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has uttered any form of criticism. "You can' t shape a squad in accordance with his wishes and then he tells you at Christmas that he' s leaving," said the 1974 (as a player) and 1990 (as a coach) World Cup winner. "The best thing would be for Guardiola to announce that he is staying at Bayern. It would make things much easier," continued Beckenbauer sounding ironically optimistic without being able to deliver any new hard facts.

As things look like at the moment, the club' s management have accepted that Guardiola will set sail to new shores after this season, and until then, are happy about their coach' s intense ambitions to win the Champions League final in Milan in May 2016.

Former Bayern player Dietmar Hamann told the pay TV channel "sky" that Guardiola must be regarded as a special coach by Bayern. "They have been beaten badly twice in the Champions League. I don' t know if any other coach would have survived that. You can lose to Barca and Real but the naive way Bayern did was a shock to me," said Hamann.

If Guardiola leaves, his successor (and Bayern Munich) will not only have to deliver new titles but he will have to see in a new era or see out the last years of the present one. German media is already starting to talk about the end of the era for Franck Ribery (32) and Arjen Robben (31). Both had missed as well the semifinal last season against FC Barcelona (5-3 on aggregate).

In order not to be left "alone" again, Bayern' s bosses ironed out their error not to have a solution in place for the worst case and bought Brazilian Douglas Costa (Shakhtar Donetsk) and Frenchman Kingsley Coman (Juventus) to replace the aging stars down the flanks, should the two be unavailable.

"It is a general policy of the club to have quick men on the wings," said Bayern Director of Football Matthias Sammer. "We have to take care that we have a smooth transfer into the era after them," added Sammer.

How important Costa and Coman can be the duet showed in Piraeus. Over 45 percent of Bayern's attacks came over Costa and Coman delivered two assists.

The prognosis in Robben' s case is that he will be out of the game for a further three weeks. As for Ribery, Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said he is expecting the player to return by the end of 2015 at the latest. The French striker has been sidelined with an ankle injury since March 2015. Both Robben and Ribery have contracts until 2017 and are obviously raring to make a comeback.

Robben answered with a broad smile when asked about the end of the era of "Robbery" (Robben and Ribery). "Until we see the post-Robben era it will hopefully still take a while. It' s always a good idea to look ahead, to recognize the time when you start to wane. But I can assure you until then it will take a while in my case," said Robben. And Ribery told reporters: "When I' m fit again, I don' t have to be afraid of any new face in our squad."

Franck Ribery injury improving - Bayern Munich's Matthias Sammer

Bayern Munich have played down suggestions Franck Ribery will not return to action before 2016.

Ribery, 32, has been sidelined with ankle problems since March and, while he has been able to do some fitness work, Bayern have not yet been able to set a timeframe for his return to the pitch.

The former France winger told kicker last week: "I do everything, really everything, that I am told, but the pain just won't go away."

However, Bayern sporting executive Matthias Sammer has told Bild that the club had no particular reason to believe Ribery would miss the rest of 2015.

"I don't know who says things like that," Sammer said. "What is accurate is that there is an uptrend, an improvement. We are working on it, but it's dubious to give a date for a comeback. The ankle injury is too complex for that."

Bild reported that Ribery is suffering with periostitis and that he still cannot run.

Sammer said that Ribery "is not happy right now" but is doing all he can to return to fitness.

"Our job is to support him to the best of our abilities," he added. "We do that. We need to be patient."

Bayern, who were also without Arjen Robben for the majority of last season's run-in, reinforced their squad with the signings of Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk and Kingsley Coman from Juventus this summer. 

Douglas Costa begeistert Bayern: Aber wohin mit Franck Ribery?

Wirbelwind Douglas Costa beeindruckt bei seinem Bundesliga-Debüt und macht Fan-Liebling Franck Ribery vergessen. Nur einer vermisst den verletzten Franzosen.

München - Franck Ribery wusste wohl nicht so recht, ob er lachen oder weinen soll. Der bayrische Flügelflitzer beobachtete von der Tribüne aus mit versteinerter Miene, wie sein FC Bayern in der zweiten Halbzeit den HSV auseinandernahm.

Und vor allem einer tat sich dabei besonders hervor: Douglas Costa. Der Neuzugang glänzte vor allem in den zweiten 45 Minuten, bereitete den ersten Treffer von Thomas Müller zum 3:0 sehenswert vor, erzielte das 5:0 selbst.

Zwar erfolgten beide Tore nach Costas Wechsel von der linken auf die rechte Außenbahn, auf der normalerweise Arjen Robben aufläuft. Aber der brasilianische Neuzugang scheint nach zwei Pflichtspielen und einer beeindruckenden Vorbereitung aus der Stammelf der Bayern nicht mehr wegzudenken.

Douglas ist eine Waffe

Und vor allem von Riberys Position auf dem linken Flügel. Costa begeistert Mitspieler, Trainer und Fans. "Douglas ist über außen eine Waffe - und man weiß, dass er den Stürmer sucht", sagt Thomas Müller. Und Trainer Pep Guardiola ergänzt: "Er kann rechts wie links spielen. Auch wenn er in die Mitte zieht, hat er die Augen und die Vision, um die Situation gut zu interpretieren."

Die Zahlen zeigen, was der 24 Jahre alte Brasilianer vorweisen kann. Die meisten Torschüsse (4), die meisten Flanken (4), die meisten Zweikämpfe bestritten (29), starke 52 Prozent davon gewonnen - zudem rasend schnell über die Außenbahn. Mit 32,5 km/h flitzte er die Linie entlang.

Integration auf brasilianisch

Costa selbst fühlt sich in München pudelwohl, spricht von einem Traum, der wahr geworden ist. "Das war ein perfekter Start. Ich könnte nicht glücklicher sein", sagt der Brasilianer beim klubeigenen TV-Sender. "Es ist großartig, dass ich in meinem ersten Spiel mein erstes Bundesliga-Tor geschossen und noch eines vorbereitet habe."

Seine Mitspieler helfen ihm, wo es nur geht. Die Brasilianer Dante und Rafinha übersetzen für ihn hier und da, helfen ihm bei der Eingewöhnung. Und selbst der Ur-Bayer Thomas Müller bemüht sich. "Ich schaue da schon, dass er gut integriert wird", sagt er.

Letztes Spiel im März

Alles spricht von und über Costa, dem Flügelflitzer, Bayerns neuer Wunderwaffe. "Seine Qualitäten sind unheimlich und schwierig zu finden", führt Bayerns Coach aus. "Vorher dachten die Leute: Wer ist Douglas Costa? Jetzt sind sie überzeugt, weil sie sehen, dass er die Qualität hat, hier zu spielen."

Und die Qualität, Ribery hinter sich zu lassen. Zumal der Franzose zurzeit nur einen Stammplatz auf der Tribüne hat. Oder im Kraftraum. Seine Sprunggelenkverletzung zwingt ihn zum Zuschauen. An Mannschaftstraining ist nicht zu denken. Ende August soll eine neue Untersuchung Aufschluss geben, ob er im September zurückkehren kann.

Seit März hat Ribery kein Spiel mehr für die Bayern bestritten. Das letzte ausgerechnet gegen Douglas Costa und Schachtjor Donezk, als er von Costa auch noch einen Ellbogen ins Gesicht bekam. Nun muss er sich erneut den Angriffen Costas erwehren, auch wenn es diesmal keine handgreiflichen sind, sondern nur um seinen Stammplatz geht.

"Vermisse unsere gemeinsame Zeit"

Ganz vergessen ist Ribery trotz der Jubelarien um Costa nicht. Vor allem nicht bei seinem kongenialen Partner der Flügelzange Robbery.

"Es ist im Moment schwierig für ihn, auch für seinen Kopf. Wir unterstützen ihn, wir hoffen, dass er bald wieder spielen kann", sagt Arjen Robben und schiebt hinterher: "Ich vermisse unsere gemeinsame Zeit auf dem Platz. Entweder war er in der Vergangenheit verletzt oder ich. Seit langer Zeit konnten wir nicht mehr zusammen spielen. Das muss wieder kommen."

Noch muss sich Robben gedulden. Und auch Ribery.

Costa brilliert, aber: Wann kommt Ribéry zurück?

München - Alle reden von Douglas Costa: Der Neuzugang lenkt von Franck Ribérys Verletzungsmisere ab. Doch die Frage bleibt: Wann spielt der 32-Jährige wieder?

Bayerns Neuzugang Douglas Costa begeisterte am Freitagabend gegen den Hamburger SV (5:0) die Zuschauer in der Allianz Arena und seine neuen Mannschaftskameraden. Was Franck Ribéry über das Debüt des Brasilianer denkt, ist nicht bekannt. Der Franzose hat zurzeit andere Probleme.

Seit fünf Monaten laboriert Ribéry an einer Knöchelverletzung und die Fragen um seine Rückkehr bleiben weiterhin offen. Weder der 32-Jährige selbst noch der FC Bayern äußern einen genauen Zeitpunkt, wann die Nummer 7 wieder auflaufen wird.

Ende August wird es nun die nächste Untersuchung geben. Ribéry trainiert derzeit im Kraftraum, nächsten Monat soll er wieder ins Mannschaftstraining einsteigen. Und wann sehen ihn die Fans wieder auf dem Spielfeld? Laut "kicker" ist das vor Ende September eher unwahrscheinlich.

Trotz Costa-Hype fehlt Ribéry: "Ich vermisse die Zeit, als wir zusammen auf dem Platz standen", gesteht Arjen Robben.

Nick Bidwell’s Notes from Germany: Douglas Costa instantly at home with Bayern Munich

Hamburg were once again Bayern's whipping boys, with debutant Douglas Costa impressing on his debut for the Bundesliga champions.

1. Hamburg remain the field of screams.
The new season barely has begun and already Hamburg find themselves knee-deep in negative headlines, beaten by the amateurs of Jena in the first round of the German Cup, rendered a laughing stock when director of football Peter Knäbel lost a rucksack containing sensitive club paperwork – including a list of player salaries – and thumped 5-0 at Bayern Munich on the opening weekend of the Bundesliga season.

On the wrong end of a 8-0 Allianz-Arena depluming in the corresponding fixture last season, Hamburg at least put up a fight in the first-half on Friday, solid enough defensively to restrict the Bayern All-Stars to just one-goal lead at the break. But as soon as the hosts  moved up a gear or two after the restart, Bruno Labbadia’s side simply had no answers, left, at full-time, in a crumpled heap.

Bayern certainly like a visit from the northerners, racking up a 31:3 goal-ratio in their last six home games against HSV.

2.  Costa scales the heights, Götze falls back.
If Bayern were able to start the 2015-16 campaign with a flourish – recording the most emphatic win in the 13 years of stand-alone season curtain-raisers – much of the credit must go to 30 million euro Brazilian recruit, Douglas Costa.

Besides crossing for Thomas Muller to convert and rounding off proceedings with a fine individual goal, the ex-Shakhtar Donetsk winger’s energy, changes of tempo and dribbling prowess were a constant headache for the opposition and on this evidence, the German champions need have no worries contemplating a future without Franck Ribery, who continues to be sidelined with an ankle problem.

While Costa spectacularly hogged the spotlight, prompting Bayern boss Pep Guardiola to claim he could develop into one of the globe’s best wide men, the future looks considerably gloomier for teammate, Mario Götze. The World Cup final 2014 matchwinner, only came on for the last 25 minutes and after having to make do with a bit-part role in the second-half of last term, must be wondering whether he should try his luck elsewhere.

3. Tuchel makes a compelling statement of intent
Dortmund’s 4-0 victory at home to Mönchengladbach on Saturday, the former’s largest winning margin in the Bundesliga for 15 months, could not possibly have gone any better for debutant ‘Schwarz-Gelben’ coach, Thomas Tuchel.

In a chef d’oeuvre of speed, clever movement and slick combination play, the Dortmunder completely dominated from start to finish and when a team as well-structured and tactically-aware as Lucien Favre’s Gladbach is sunk without trace, you can only applaud the architect of the mismatch.

The Tuchel big idea of grafting greater midfield precision and control to the rocket-booster attacks espoused by predecessor Jurgen Klopp, are especially benefitting Armenian playmaker, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who twice was on the score-sheet in the opening day romp.

Rarely convincing last season, his first in yellow-and-black, the ex-Shakhtar star was widely-expected to move on this summer, but now is flourishing as Tuchel’s number one creator.

4. Newly-promoted and loving it.
What with Ingolstadt winning 1-0 at Mainz and Darmstadt somewhat unfortunate to ‘only’ draw 2-2 at home to Hannover, both top-flight new boys made a good job of transferring from economy to business class.

Competing in the Bundesliga for the first time, Ingolstadt performed the classic smash-and-grab raid – the only goal of the game scored by Austrian front-man Lukas Hinterseer – while Darmstadt, back in the top-flight after a 12,131-day absence, gave their guests quite a fright, midfielder Marcel Heller netting two fine goals and teammates twice hitting the woodwork.

The Darmstadt-Hannover encounter also was a technological groundbreaker, the first instance in the Bundesliga of a video referee adjudicating on whether the ball had crossed the line. Unfortunately for Hannover’s Kenan Karaman, ‘Hawk Eye’ deemed his headed effort invalid.

5. Bremen again take aim and shoot themselves in the foot.
No other team in Bundesliga history has conceded more own-goals than Werder Bremen and on Saturday they were up to their old tricks, racking up their 53rd ‘Eigentor’, when Czech international full-back, Theo Gebre Selassie put Schalke en route to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

This was Schalke’s first away win since December 2014 and to his immense credit, new Gelsenkirchen boss, Andre Breitenreiter seems to have them clique-free, uninhibited and most important of all, happy.

One sour note for the Royal Blues: centre-back Matija Nastasic being ruled out for six months after rupturing an Achilles tendon.