Ribery hits back in war-of-words with van Gaal

Bayern Munich’s France midfielder Franck Ribery on Tuesday hit back in the war-of-words with coach Louis van Gaal, admitting he was disappointed to hear criticism through the German press.

Van Gaal accused Ribery of a lacklustre performance in last week’s friendly match against third-division side Unterhaching and told the media here the Frenchman ‘had made no effort’ as he returns from an ankle injury.

“If the coach doesn’t speak well of me, it makes life tough,” Ribery told German television channel Sky with Bayern set to face Roma on Tuesday in the Champions League.

“I give my best and am doing everything I can to be fit again, but I need his help and confidence.

“I need to communicate with him and to share a joke, otherwise things don’t work on the ground.

“I was very disappointed to see his comments in the press and I think it would have been better if he had spoken to me directly.”

Ribery damaged ankle ligaments in September and is being eased back into football as van Gaal gave him 20 minutes against Nuremberg and 29 minutes against Leverkusen recently in the Bundesliga.

But this approach does not please Ribery.

“At this rate, I will never find my level again because I have to play entire matches,” he said.

“If I only play 25 or 30 minutes, I will never get back to 100 percent fit again.

“I have to play 90 minutes.”

The French, whose relations with Van Gaal has always been delicate, admitted that he “could not say he had a lot of fun (working with him) or that there is a special relationship” between them.

“He does his work, I do mine,” said Ribery.