Bayern made to wait on Ribéry

FC Bayern München will have to wait a little longer for the return of French playmaker Franck Ribéry after he suffered stiffness in his right thigh during training causing him to pull out of Saturday's visit of Werder Bremen.

Safety first
Ribéry is yet to kick a ball in anger since tearing ankle ligaments while appearing for France at UEFA EURO 2008™, and his long-awaited return has been put back as Bayern play it safe on their talisman's fitness. "[Team doctor] Müller-Wohlfahrt has said that it would not be a real problem if Franck played tomorrow, but there is always a small risk," Bayern coach Jürgen Klinsmann said. "A couple of days more or less doesn't matter."

Confidence high
Despite Ribéry's absence Bayern have begun to hit their stride after an unsteady start to the season, and following a hat-trick of wins against Hertha BSC Berlin, 1. FC Köln and FC Steaua Bucureşti confidence is flowing through the side once again. Belgian centre-back Daniel Van Buyten scored the winner in Bucharest and is predicting more success on Saturday. "Werder will travel [to Munich] to take three points back home, but they won't have a chance," he said.

Increased options
New coach Klinsmann's ideas are beginning to bear fruit with a change to a 3-5-2 formation proving particularly successful. "This system increases our options in attack, especially when you meet a compact opposition," Klinsmann said. "I think the team now has the strength, fitness and positive body language to win games like we did against Steaua. They know that their hard work is paying off."

Bremen struggle
The mood is not so buoyant at Bremen, who like last season have started slowly. The big difference, however, is that the squad is largely injury free, though Torsten Frings (muscular problem) and Clemens Fritz (cold) have both been ruled out of the trip to the Fußball Arena München. There are no excuses for a series of disappointing results, including Tuesday's goalless draw at home to Anorthosis Famagusta FC in the UEFA Champions League. "I hope the team is disappointed and knows the chance they've squandered," general manager Klaus Allofs said. Coach Thomas Schaaf added: "We were too relaxed, just waiting for the goal to come, instead of forcing it to happen." The trip to Bayern provides the perfect opportunity to make amends.