Bayern Munich blow: Franck Ribery to miss start of season
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Updated 17/07/2015 at 09:53 GMT
Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery will not be fit to start the season, coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
Injured Bayern Munich's French midfielder Franck Ribery waits for the German first division Bundesliga team FC Bayern Munich team photo presentation at the trainings area in Munich, southern Germany, on July 16, 2015
Image credit: AFP
Ribery has been sidelined since sustaining an ankle injury in a Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk in March.
In June his recovery regressed when treatment failed to improve his condition and his foot was immobilised. His cast was removed last week.
Now Guardiola has confirmed that the France international will not start the season in the Bayern first XI.
"He won't be ready for the first game of the season, but it's getting better,” said Guardiola. “I'm optimistic."
Bayern have strengthened this summer with the signing of Shakhar attacker Douglas Costa.
The Brazil international says he wants to learn from Ribery, 32, during his time at Bayern.
"Franck is an example to follow for me," Costa told TZ. "I can learn a lot from a player like Franck. I have to stay grounded and work hard to improve myself.
"Only then might I one day be able to play like him."
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