20.01.2010
Ribery should stay at Bayern: Robben
Dutch midfield star Arjen Robben said on Wednesday Franck Ribery should stay at Bayern Munich, despite the Frenchman being a target for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Having played his last game in Bayern colours on October 3, the Frenchman is expected to take part in Saturday's Bundesliga clash at Werder Bremen and ex-Real player Robben has urged his midfield partner to stay in Munich.
Ribery has been courted by Real despite having a Bayern contract until June 2011, but Robben says the Frenchman should stay to help Munich who face Fiorentina in the last 16 of the Champions League on February 17 in Munich.
"It is his choice, but I hope that he stays here," Robben told sports press agency SID, having signed for Bayern for 24 million euros (36.8 million US dollars) last summer.
"Here he is the big star, there he is one of many, otherwise the two clubs are almost the same associations."
While Bayern are third in the table and unbeaten after 11 games, while Bremen have lost their last four and are five games without a win.
Saturday's game in Bremen promises to be a battle royal and Robben says it is important they have Ribery in the side after the Frenchman's knee injury.
"It is important for the team that he returns and I will be glad when he does, Franck is a world-class player," said Robben.
And Germany defender Philipp Lahm says Ribery's presence raises Bayern's game.
"He lifts the crew to another level, because he brings so much quality," said the Germany star.
"He pulls several players out of position and creates space for other players."
Robben and Lahm were involved in a training ground bust up on Monday, but after a brief altercation the pair were pulled apart by rising star Thomas Mueller and Croatia striker Ivica Olic, but soon made up.
"We have drawn a line under the issue, we spoke after training and everything is settled," said Lahm.
"Things can sometimes get out of hand in training, it is very competitive."
And Robben said the pair had shaken hands over it.
"There is no problem at all, I shook hands and hugged him, the matter is over.
"Philipp is a friend and a colleague."
Source: © 2010 AFP - John Macdougall
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