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Ribery: I have struggled for France
Apr 18, 2012 5:30:00 PM
The 29-year-old believes that it will take him some more time to feel fully comfortable with les Bleus and stated that he was delighted with Tuesday's triumph over Madrid
| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £12.00 | Draw £60.00 | VfB Stuttgart £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £11.70 | Draw £60.00 | VfB Stuttgart £100.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £13.00 | Draw £60.00 | VfB Stuttgart £70.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £12.00 | Draw £65.00 | VfB Stuttgart £130.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £12.50 | Draw £60.00 | VfB Stuttgart £100.00 |
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Les Bleus coach Laurent Blanc said earlier in the week that Ribery has not been able to perform to the best of his abilities for his country since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Ribery was suspended from international duty for three matches after the tournament, and came under heavy criticism for his part in the rebellious squad.
"Blanc is right, I am struggling," he told reporters. "Every time that I come to France, it is very hard for me.
"I am trying to give 100 per cent, but little by little I will rediscover my pleasure with the French team."
Ribery then said that he was very pleased with the 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
"It was a good match for everyone, even for the fans," Ribery said. "We know that Madrid are a great side.
"It is a shame that we conceded that goal in the second half, but then we pushed to score our second.
"They will want to attack in Madrid, so we must take advantage of the counterattacking situations that we will have."
The return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu is scheduled for April 25.
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Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
7:37 PM BST
Let's here from a couple of Brazilians with a keen interest in this game. First, former Bayern midfielder Ze Roberto, who has some interesting things to say on this all-German final.
"The German school has always been one of strength rather than technique. Today, they have found the perfect balance between the two things. That's why they've grown so much in the last few years. This final between two Germans shows the strength of the country's football.
"But the biggest difference between my Bayern and today's Bayern is that today the team is really forward-driven. It's a strong group, that plays together for a long time. They have a very experienced coach. And the players are all of international level. I see Bayern more prepared for the final.
"It will be a very good final, but I think Bayern has the advantage."
"The German school has always been one of strength rather than technique. Today, they have found the perfect balance between the two things. That's why they've grown so much in the last few years. This final between two Germans shows the strength of the country's football.
"But the biggest difference between my Bayern and today's Bayern is that today the team is really forward-driven. It's a strong group, that plays together for a long time. They have a very experienced coach. And the players are all of international level. I see Bayern more prepared for the final.
"It will be a very good final, but I think Bayern has the advantage."
7:32 PM BST
Very worrying scenes for Bayern fans!!! Bastian Schweinsteiger is struggling. He's receiving treatment on an apparent ankle injury after being levelled by a strong challenge from Mario Mandzukic during the warm-up. Yes, you've read that right: Schweinsteiger has been injured by his team-mate!
However, the watching Christoph Metzelder is in no doubt that the Bayern midfielder will still start, telling Sky Germany: "As long as he can shoot he will play."
However, the watching Christoph Metzelder is in no doubt that the Bayern midfielder will still start, telling Sky Germany: "As long as he can shoot he will play."
7:29 PM BST
Right, just to explain, we have three representatives at Wembley tonight:
- Tim Rohn, Goal Germany correspondent
- Stefan Doring, Dortmund fan
- Tobias Kind, Bayern fan
Let's check in with Tim to get a taste of the pre-game atmosphere inside the ground ...
"30 minutes to go until kick-off and the atmosphere is already amazing. Both groups of fans sing songs to rile the other ones. But everythings is peaceful. Jurgen Klopp stood some minutes alone at the kick-off-point and let all the Wembley madness have an effect on him."
- Tim Rohn, Goal Germany correspondent
- Stefan Doring, Dortmund fan
- Tobias Kind, Bayern fan
Let's check in with Tim to get a taste of the pre-game atmosphere inside the ground ...
"30 minutes to go until kick-off and the atmosphere is already amazing. Both groups of fans sing songs to rile the other ones. But everythings is peaceful. Jurgen Klopp stood some minutes alone at the kick-off-point and let all the Wembley madness have an effect on him."
7:25 PM BST
The phrase 'mixed emotions' seems made for Matthias Sammer, the legendary sweeper who inspired Dortmund to Champions League glory in 1997 but who is now employed by Bayern Munich. However, he's doing a pretty decent job of putting his old allegiances to one side ahead of tonight's final.
"It is hard to talk about feelings ahead of a match," the Bayern sporting director told Sky Sport Germany. "We want to show what made us strong all these weeks.
"We may not forget that Dortmund lost twice and drew twice in our last four matches. But they will present themselves differently tonight, that is for sure."
"It is hard to talk about feelings ahead of a match," the Bayern sporting director told Sky Sport Germany. "We want to show what made us strong all these weeks.
"We may not forget that Dortmund lost twice and drew twice in our last four matches. But they will present themselves differently tonight, that is for sure."
7:19 PM BST
And one final question for Carlo ...
@OmarAb96: What is the most important battle on the pitch tonight?
CG: This is going to sound like a cliche, and probably not the answer you are looking for but whichever team is more clinical will win the game. That is the real battle, more so than any individual contest because these are two sides who value the collective. I expect Bayern to have more possession, but Dortmund are still incredibly dangerous on the break. Bayern may create more chances, but Dortmund will have their opportunities too. It really depends who is more efficient.
And like I said earlier, the first goal will be crucial. If Bayern score first, it will be very difficult for Dortmund to come back.
@OmarAb96: What is the most important battle on the pitch tonight?
CG: This is going to sound like a cliche, and probably not the answer you are looking for but whichever team is more clinical will win the game. That is the real battle, more so than any individual contest because these are two sides who value the collective. I expect Bayern to have more possession, but Dortmund are still incredibly dangerous on the break. Bayern may create more chances, but Dortmund will have their opportunities too. It really depends who is more efficient.
And like I said earlier, the first goal will be crucial. If Bayern score first, it will be very difficult for Dortmund to come back.
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