Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola is counting on Franck Ribery’s anger as his side need ensure victory over Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday.
Ribery’s form has slumped in recent games, following the Bavarians’ record title defence with seven matches to spare.
Bayern has won just two of their last five league games, but hopes a repeat of the midfielder’s dazzling performance in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Bremen could spur the team to victory over Real.
“Franck Ribery is extremely important for this club, for the team,” Guardiola told reporters on Monday.
Pep Guardiola Says Ribery is Key to Bayern’s Progress in Champions League Semis.
“He was playing angry against Bremen (during Bayern’s 5-2 Bundesliga win over the weekend). Franck needs this aggression, he needs to play angry. He keeps fighting and that is why fans love him. He is one of the best players in Bayern’s history, he has always performed at the highest level and we need the best Ribery.”
Bayern again got off to a slow start against Bremen before an explosive second-half saw them cruise past their opponents with Ribery among the goals.
Guardiola is hoping to lead Bayern to a record back-to-back Champions League triumph in his first season. The Munich outfit could as well equal Juventus’ record of having reached three successive finals in Europe’s top tier club football competition.
They need overturn Real’s 1-goal lead from the first leg and keep the attack duo of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo at bay to stand a chance of progressing to the final.
The Spanish boss says he does not expect the ‘Los Blancos’ to play for the goalless draw that would ensure their passage to the Lisbon.
“I cannot imagine the (Real coach) Carlo Ancelotti will set up his team in such a way as to just keep the result,” added Guardiola. “That would be difficult to maintain.
“Obviously it is clear what we need to do. We need to score more than one goal.
“Real are a quick team so we always have to be positioned well when we lose possession. The best is to keep them a long way from our goal.”
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