Van Gaal heartened by Ribery fitness

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal on Sunday expressed his delight at the level of fitness shown by France playmaker Franck Ribery in comparison to the same stage last year as the German champions prepare for the opening of their title defence against VfL Wolfsburg next Friday.

Van Gaal, who guided Bayern to the domestic double last season as well as the Champions League final, said that Ribery had suffered no ill effects after playing against Real Madrid in a friendly on Friday.

“Ribery is doing really well, I have a really good feeling as far as he is concerned,” said van Gaal, who will be missing star Dutch winger Arjen Robben till October because of a thigh injury aggravated during the World Cup.

“He is really impressing in training, he has already played an hour (against Real Madrid) when we had to wait for two months last season for him to even play that amount.”

Van Gaal said that there was nothing to worry about as far as little niggles were concerned regarding Ribery even allowing himself a rare joke.

“Everything couldn’t be better, he has no physical problem, the problems with his Achilles tendon, his groin or his teeth, everything is absoultely fine,” said van Gaal, whose side take on Fifth Division Windeck in the first round of the German Cup on Monday.

Ribery, who signed an extended contract with Bayern till 2015 after briefly being linked with Real Madrid last year, had a nightmare season last term hindered by injuries, he also missed the Champions League final because he was suspended, and also off the field problems.

Ribery was one of five members of the disgraced French World Cup finals squad called to explain themselves this coming Tuesday by the French Football Federation (FFF) over their roles in the strike in protest at the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka from the finals because of a foul mouthed outburst at then coach Raymond Domenech.

Bayern have said they will not release Ribery for the hearing.

Ribery is also facing trouble on another front after being charged with having sex with an under-age prostitute.

The Bayern Munich player, who faces up to three years in prison if convicted, has admitted paying for sex with Zahia Dehar but denies knowing the call girl was under 18 at the time.