Why a Fit Franck Ribery Can Propel Bayern Munich in Final Weeks of Season

At long last, Franck Ribery is back in action for Bayern Munich. And it couldn't be at a better time, with the business end of the 2015-16 campaign fast approaching.

Once the face of Bayern Munich's attack, Ribery's status has rapidly diminished over the last 12 months. He started last season with some patella problems, and those followed by a couple of other ailments limited him to just 23 appearances and 1,496 minutes in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

An ankle injury suffered last March saw him sidelined until early December, but he would be found to have returned too fast; after taking part in two games in four days, he suffered a muscular injury that sidelined him until recently.

Ribery has essentially gone just under a year without playing football, and the signing of Douglas Costa last summer was a clear indicator the club intended for the Brazilian to sooner or later replace the club icon. And it looked like that time had come early in the campaign, as Costa took like a duck to water in Munich, providing at least one assist in each of his first seven games (10 in total).

Yet at this point, it's looking more and more like Ribery could be a key to any success Bayern have in the weeks to come.

For one thing, Ribery has looked bright in the rare instances when he's played. Whereas the likes of Thomas Muller, Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman were quite hopeless in Bayern's 3-1 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach in December, Ribery had an instant effect off the bench. Replacing Lewandowski in the 75th minute, the veteran was a spark plug in the attack and scored six minutes after his introduction.

He's played less than a half-game since returning to action in February, but even in that limited play he managed to assist a goal against Darmstadt on Saturday.

Ribery could be a difference-maker for Bayern in that he is a proven quantity, a veteran who has performed at the highest level in the past. Many assumed his injuries signaled that he is finished. And many have assumed that because Costa has fit in so well already he will be able to do what Ribery did in 2012-13: be the man to create in a Champions League final and a constant, propelling force in the Bayern attack.

These speculators may indeed be right. But to assume either case is true is not justified. In his little playing time this term, Ribery has been quite active. And Costa's form has tailed off a bit; he's still great at exploding past his marker but has lacked something in terms of passing precision as of late, and his tally of zero goals and three assists in seven games this calendar year isn't particularly impressive. 

Having Ribery available to come in and take off a bit of the pressure may be liberating for Costa and could have a positive effect on his performance while of course helping Bayern with class from the Frenchman on the wing.

Even if Costa rediscovers the form that made him a sensation last August and September, there is no telling how he will react in the real pressure-cooker matches to come. It took Ribery and Arjen Robben most of their careers before they overcame the final hurdle in the Champions League. Costa might adapt faster, but the ability to decide major finals is rare and something that cannot be assumed.

To that end, if Bayern manage to reach the Champions League semifinals or final and need a spark, it could well be Ribery who provides it. He'll probably never again replicate his overall magic from 2012-13, but all it takes is a few seconds of genius to win a game. He's been there before, and even as a substitute for weary legs, may have the freshness, poise and cool nerves to beat his markers, play a killer pass or deliver a decisive strike.

That's the kind of thing a few, rare footballers can do. Raul was of that breed and was a match-winner for Schalke even well into his 30s. The 32-year-old Ribery may well be that player as well; despite his age and the amount of time he's missed, he's more proven than Costa, and it would be a mistake to count him out.

@Mr_Bundesliga