MUNICH — Jupp Heynckes has praised Franck Ribery and said he has a “special relationship” with Bayern Munich’s longest-serving player.
Bayern can claim their sixth successive Bundesliga title in succession with a win at Augsburg on Saturday — Ribery’s 35th birthday.
“Franck and I have developed a special relationship right from the start. I know what makes him tick and how to handle him. He’s a human being who values fairness above all else,” Heynckes told a news conference.
“We have a relationship of mutual trust and respect, it’s definitely special. He played brilliantly for me between 2011 and 2013 and became European Footballer of the Year in 2013.
“Since I’ve been back, he has been more motivated than ever and you can see the results now, especially with his performances in the games against Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund.
“He has found his home here and feels very much at home, too, in Munich. When he’s not provoked, he is a very friendly, funny guy.”
Asked whether any extra celebrations were planned for Ribery’s birthday, Heynckes said: “The Bundesliga title would be nice, wouldn’t it?”
However, he could not guarantee that Ribery, who joined Bayern from Marseille in 2007, would have a starting role.
“He played both last Saturday and on Tuesday, so we will have to speak and see how he is feeling,” he said.
Meanwhile, Heynckes remained wary of giving a comeback date for long-term injury absentee Manuel Neuer but said they had spoken after Bayern’s captain completed goalkeeping training for the first time in six months.
“He’s doing very well and is very positive. He is in no pain and showed no reaction to the training,” Heynckes said.
Bayern face Sevilla in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals in Munich on Wednesday with a 2-1 lead, and Heynckes said they would keep the celebrations low key if they lifted the title on Saturday.
“If we win we will have some champagne in the dressing room, but we will be back in training on Sunday at 10 a.m. to begin preparations for Sevilla,” he said.
“We will celebrate when we have the chance to really let our hair down when the season is finished. We might also have a DFB Pokal or a Champions League final to look forward to.”
Arturo Vidal (knee) and David Alaba (back) will miss the Augsburg game, while Corentin Tolisso and Thiago Alcantara are doubts.
But Juan Bernat, substituted at half-time in midweek after picking up a shin injury, could make the squad after returning to training on Thursday.
Mark Lovell covers Bayern Munich for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter: @LovellLowdown.
Be the first to comment