Can Franck Ribery Get Back to His Best Following Bayern Munich Comeback?

The first Bundesliga defeat in 16 games, the first time they’d shipped three goals since going to Barcelona in last season’s Champions League semi-finals, and only the second time they’d conceded three to a German side in 20 months. The embarrassing stats were out in force for Bayern Munich during the defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach at the weekend.

Solace, though, came in the form of another number.

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The fourth official held up the No. 7 in the 75th minute as Franck Ribery entered a football pitch for the first time in nine months. Six minutes later, the Frenchman popped up to score Bayern’s consolation following a fine move between Thomas Muller and Arturo Vidal.

It would be wrong to describe Ribery as Bayern’s “forgotten man” during what has been a long period on the sidelines—this is a man voted third to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or in 2013, after all—but it could be said that his side’s imperious form means that they haven’t exactly missed him too much.

Bayern Munich will always have talented players ready to step up when called upon, with the likes of Vidal and Ribery’s compatriot Kingsley Coman being added to the club since the wide man last kicked a ball in anger, but his is a return that should be celebrated.

If the weekend defeat did anything it emphasised that Bayern can’t get too complacent.

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They are now “only” five points above a rejuvenated Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, and staying focused will be crucial when it comes to the knockout stages of the Champions League—which Pep Guardiola’s side have already progressed to before they go to Dinamo Zagreb in their final group match on Wednesday.

With the pressure off, the Croatian capital could be the perfect place for Ribery to get more football under his belt as he continues his comeback. A full 90 minutes might be a little too optimistic at this stage, but if he can extend Saturday’s 15-minute cameo then that will represent a good night’s work.

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As his goal at Gladbach showed, Ribery seems to have lost none of the impish movement and scurrying style that made him such a great player to watch a couple of years ago.

He was the best player in the Champions League in Bayern’s successful 2012/13 season—eventually being awarded as such in one of those rare moments when an individual accolade at the highest level didn’t go to Messi or Ronaldo.

He scored more goals the following season—17 for club and country—but when the injury problems hit and he missed the World Cup, the curse began.

Some well-publicised off-field issues and his subsequent retirement from international football after missing out on Brazil seems to have cast a dark cloud over Ribery’s career ever since then, but, now 32, it is to be hoped that Saturday’s goal marks to beginning of a renaissance for the three-time French Player of the Year.

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French football is now embroiled in another scandal, and neither Karim Benzema nor Mathieu Valbeuna look certain to make the squad for next summer’s European Championships. So, perhaps Ribery can be persuaded back by the host nation if he can show impressive form for Bayern between now and the summer.

That, of course, is a long way away, but he appeared a happier and perhaps more thankful figure when he returned to training last week, telling FCBTV (via Sky Sports):

"

This was a super day for me and very emotional. It was the first long injury of my career and was a difficult situation for me.

But that's football and that's life, it's important to always keep your head up and to work hard. It's a good feeling to be back in the team.

The whole team was happy for me. It was fun.

"

Fun. It's not a word that you often hear a footballer say, but it's one that can describe Ribery’s style when he is in full flow.

Hopefully the route back to his best began at Gladbach on Saturday, and if it did then Bayern supporters will be happy to forget those embarrassing numbers.