Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has suffered another injury setback after his manager revealed he would miss the beginning of the Bundesliga campaign.
Ribery's injury problems continue
The retired French international has been troubled by constant injuries over the past few seasons and will yet again be unavailable for selection for Bayern Munich's season opener against Hamburg. Ribery's injuries woes were ever-present last season as Bayern crashed out of the Champions League and DFB-Pokal without reaching the final of either.
After picking up an ankle injury in Bayern's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk last season, Ribery was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
More time to be spent on sidelines
The German giants are in China ahead of a pre-season tour that will see them face Valencia, Guangzhou Evergrande and Inter Milan. Ahead of the Valencia clash, Pep Guardiola spoke of Ribery's injury to reporters, saying that "he won't be ready for the first game of the season, but it's getting better."
Guardiola is "optimistic" about the winger's chances for the season though, despite the 32-year old struggling to return to his world class form.
Ribery's ankle injury keeps him out until a later date after his recovery did not go according to plan. The Frenchman may find himself out of the team when fit too if Douglas Costa starts the campaign well. Costa, who recently joined from Shakhtar Donetsk, told TZ that Ribery is "an example to follow" and that he can learn a lot from him.
Ribery has scored 104 times in 299 games for Bayern and will want to add to his fine career with the Bavarians. The player has been unable to remain fit since his oustanding 2012/13 season in which he won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award and finished third in the Ballon D'or voting. The Bundesliga veteran will want to prove he can overcome his continuous injury problems though to flourish with the Bundesliga champions once again.