Ribery future still open as Bayern progress
Reuters - Wednesday 10 March 2010, 10:40
BERLIN - Bayern Munich playmaker Franck
Ribery's decision whether to leave the side or not was made a
little more difficult after the Germans squeezed into the
Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Ribery almost signed for Real Madrid before the start of
the season and has repeatedly expressed a desire to join a big
European club to taste Champions League success.
Bayern's progression to the last eight on away goals
against Fiorentina means the Frenchman will need to delay his
future plans for a more few weeks.
"It is extremely important that we moved into the next
round. Together with this team we can still achieve a lot," a
beaming Ribery told reporters after their 3-2 defeat in
Florence sent them through following a 2-1 first leg victory at
home.
"This was a majestic team performance and it was important
for the club and the fans," the 26-year-old said, brushing
aside questions on his future with the club.
Ribery initially planned to announce his plans in early
March but Bayern, with whom he has a contract until 2011, will
still be in European action until at least early April.
While Ribery's desire to leave appeared stronger when the
season started badly, Bayern are now top of the Bundesliga and
are also in the semi-finals of the German Cup.
Plagued by injuries and communication problems with new
coach Louis van Gaal early in the season, Ribery has managed to
return to top form and has carved out a lethal partnership with
Dutch winger Arjen Robben in recent weeks.