Bayern Munich: Niko Kovac urges Franck Ribery to be more clinical
The Croatian manager has urged the veteran winger to score more goals for Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich extended their impressive start to the new season against FC Schalke on Saturday. The defending Champions have now won all four of their Bundesliga games this season. Niko Kovac has enjoyed a fantastic start to his managerial career in Bavaria, failing to drop any points throughout seven competitive fixtures.
The Bavarians relatively easy win over Schalke was their second of the week after they beat Benfica in Champions League play last Wednesday. James Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski were the two names on the scoresheet for the Bavarians over the weekend. Franck Ribery could have found himself there as well but missed a big chance to triple Bayern’s lead against Schalke. The Frenchman was visibly angry when substituted late in the match.
Speaking with the media after the game (via AZ), Kovac denied any rift with the veteran winger. The Croatian did, however, express his belief that Ribery must be more clinical in the final third. The Frenchman is yet to open his account for Bayern Munich this season, and Kovac believes he’s had plenty of chances.
"“I was angry that Franck, who always puts himself in such good shooting positions, did not finish himself. Of course he always sees the teammate, that honors him, that shows his character. But he also has to score himself.“Franck was replaced because Serge [Gnabry] came in. We’re one team, everyone gives it to the other, and if I let everyone in, nobody comes in. Franck did exceptionally well. There was nothing. “"
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Ribery has been managed perfectly by Kovac this season. The Frenchman has not been involved in every game, but he has still picked up plenty of minutes. He is not showing any signs of massive decline despite his age. His workload must continue to be tightly managed to avoid risking injury. Despite expressing frustration at being subbed on Saturday, Ribery is enjoying life under Kovac.
Bayern would have hoped for Ribery to become a bit part player this season, as Kingsley Coman slowly replaces him in the starting lineup. However, these plans suffered a massive blow in Bayern’s Bundesliga opener, when Coman suffered a serious injury. The 22-year-old is unlikely to play again this calendar year.
Ribery signed a one-year contract extension with Bayern Munich at the end of last season. This contract is likely to be his last with the club. The Bavarians are set to spend big next summer to bring in at least one replacement for him and Arjen Robben.
These two players still have a major role to play for Bayern this season, though. Kovac’s comments about Ribery are likely to just get a response from the Frenchman on the pitch rather than cause any disputes off it.
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Kovac also made note of his satisfaction with his team’s defensive performance against Schalke. The Croatian insisted that his players conceded very few chances and created several of their own to make it an emphatic scoreline. Bayern Munich will now turn their attention to the next Bundesliga game against Augsburg on Tuesday, where they’ll hope for a similar result.