Bayern Munich won an unprecedented five trophies in 2013 that included the Bundesliga, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and the German Cup, making them quite simply the best team in the world. None of this would have been possible however without some of their vital players who put on a superlative show.
Five Bayern Munich stars - Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben made it on to the Ballon d’Or shortlist. All of them shone brightly, making it a true team performance but Ribery still managed to stand out. Individually, he had a fantastic year which saw him nominated as one of the three finalists, alongside familiar superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ribery registered an incredible 17 goals and 25 assists for Bayern Munich in the 2012-13 season. His 15 assists in the league was the highest tally by any player in the Bundesliga. In the 2013-14 season, he continued where he left off and has 16 goals and 12 assists to his name. Here is the list of his top 5 performances in the year gone by:
1. Champions League Semi-Finals 2nd leg vs Barcelona
Date: 1 May 2013
Venue: Camp Nou
Having thoroughly routed Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg, Bayern went to the Camp Nou to finish the job. Many expected a fight back from the mighty Catalans, but few would have predicted the way it played out. Led by Ribery, Bayern put three past their hosts, to amass a 7-0 aggregate over the two legs, humiliating the Spanish giants, albeit without the injured Messi.
Ribery assisted Muller’s goal with a neat cross to the far post and also induced Pique’s own goal with a dangerous cross into the center of the box. He was a menace throughout and also did a lot of defensive work for the team, tracking back dutifully when needed. It was a fantastic all-round display from the Frenchman and one that earned him several plaudits.
2. UEFA Supercup Final vs Chelsea
Date: 30 August 2013
Venue: Eden Garden
In a showdown between the Champions League and Europa League winners, Bayern Munich faced Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. The Germans set out to avenge their 2012 Champions League final defeat to the English outfit. Fernando Torres opened the scoring for the Blues despite Bayern starting strongly.
Pep Guardiola's side dominated again after the goal, with Chelsea starved of possession and squeezed into their own half. However they had to wait until the second half to level when Ribery succeeded where he had narrowly failed in the first period.
The Frenchman cut in from the left before scoring with a fierce right-foot shot, leaving Petr Cech beaten at his near post. He also had a stupendous free-kick saved by the Chelsea custodian.
The match ended 1-1 in regulation time and both teams scored in extra-time as well to make it 2-2, taking the game into penalties.Ribery was one of five Bayern players who scored from their respective spot-kicks while Romelu Lukaku missed his effort for Chelsea to hand the Bundesliga champions the trophy as they won 5-4 on penalties.
3. Bundesliga game vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Date: 18 May 2013
Venue: Borussia Park
In the last game of the season, Borussia Monchengladbach opened up a quick lead, scoring 2 through Martin Stranzl and Mike Hanke in the first five minutes, and another in the next five to make it 3-1 after 10 minutes with Javi Martinez pulling one back for the Champions.
Ribery played the ball forward to Martinez, who beat Gladbach keeper Marc-AndreTer Stegen at the right post. The Frenchman then struck in the 18th minute, when his shot from distance went in off the post to make it 3-2. He went on to level matters with a stunning left-footed volley from 25 yards in the 53rd minute.
Ribery then turned provider again, crossing to Arjen Robben at the right post who smashed in a volley to make it 4-3 and complete the turn around in the 59th minute. The Frenchman finished with 2 goals and 2 assists to ensure the campaign ended on a high.
4. World Cup Play-offs 2nd Leg vs Ukraine
Date: 19 November 2013
Venue: Parc de Princes
After failing to seal direct qualification to the World Cup, things looked a bit tricky for France when they were drawn against Ukraine in the play-offs. After the first leg, it was clear that things had gone horribly wrong. France lost 2-0 and faced certain elimination, now having to beat Ukraine by two goals to nil or more in the return leg.
Ribery got off to a lightning start and constantly ran at the opposing right-back Ruslan Rotan, drawing fouls from him and eventually got him booked. France took the lead when Mamadou Sakho followed in Ribery’s strike just after the 20-minute mark.
Karim Benzema then scored to send the fans into raptures. Ukraine were reduced to 10 men early in the second period when Yevhen Khacheridi collected a second yellow card for a foul on Ribery. A good strike from Patrice Evra was pushed away but Paul Pogba laid the ball off to Ribery, whose deflected shot was unwittingly turned in by Oleh Gusev with Sakho lurking at the far post to complete the turnaround 18 minutes from time. He finished with an assist and France booked their flight to Brazil.
5. Bundesliga game vs Werder Bremen
Date: 7 December 2013
Venue: Weserstadion
Ribery was in electric form and his run opened the scoring in what was to end as a 7-0 rout of Werder Bremen. His cross was deflected into the net for the first goal. Muller then put Ribery through in the center, where he proceeded to slot calmly past Wolf close to half-time. There was still time for Ribery to cap a fine performance as he converted a clever David Alaba cut-back in the 83rd minute. He also crossed to Mario Mandzukic from the far left for another goal. A fine individual performance and Ribery took home the Man of the Match award.
Ribery enjoyed a fulfilling year. He played at a superior level and his team won everything there was to win. He also won the UEFA Best Player Award in 2013 which speaks volumes of the quality of his performances. He has continued his rich vein of form in the new season and deserves to be alongside Messi and Ronaldo competing for the Ballon D’or.
In terms of goals he may not come close to the aforementioned duo, but as far as contributing to the team is concerned, he is just as valuable.