Ribery ready for French test

Bayern playmaker has Lyon in his sights

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 28th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ribery ready for French test

Ribery: Raring to go

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Frank Ribery cannot wait to face his French compatriots Lyon in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

The Bayern Munich ace acknowledges that all eyes will be on him when he comes face-to-face with the reigning champions from his homeland.

The 25-year-old needs little added incentive to be fired up for the European encounter but, having missed Bayern's opening contest with Steaua Bucharest as he recovered from an ankle injury, the playmaker is desperate to get his season up and running.

"Finally, the Champions League game is here," an excited Ribery told Die Welt.

"It is a very special match for me, as it is against Lyon, and I am very impatient for the match to start.

"I am quite conscious that this Tuesday all of my country will have their eyes turned towards me."

Quality

Ribery made his first appearance of the season in Bayern's surprising 5-2 defeat to Werder Bremen last week and admits the reigning Bundesliga champions are yet to hit top form this term.

"In terms of quality, our team can rival the big clubs of Europe like Chelsea or Barcelona," he said.

"But perhaps our manpower is not sufficiently packed to succeed head to head with the large teams. On that point, perhaps we are missing something," said Ribery.

But the Frenchman remains positive that Jurgen Klinsmann's side can turn their season around.

Ribery said: "One should expect these difficulties, because there are many new innovations at the club.

"We need time to apply the philosophy of Jurgen Klinsmann.

"When that happens, we will be better, and we will try to again be the champions of Germany."