The Germany international was grateful to his colleague for allowing him to strike the free-kick and grab his first league goal since April as Bayern saw off Mainz 2-1 on Friday
Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has thanked team-mate Franck Ribery for allowing him to hit the free-kick to draw his side level in the 2-1 win over Mainz on Friday.
The German champions suffered a 21st minute shock when they went behind to Elkin Soto’s opener – just the fourth goal Bayern have conceded in 17 games, a Bundesliga record, and one which ended defender Rafinha’s record of 1,105 minutes on the field without conceding.
And Germany international Schweinsteiger was grateful to Ribery for stepping aside as the Germany international moved to the front of the queue and sent his shot curling into the net from 25 yards to claim his first league goal since April.
“I’ve not actually practiced set pieces since the World Cup, but Franck was a perfect gentleman, he left the free-kick to me and said ‘score’,” Schweinsteiger told
“It wasn’t easy but our determination was definitely there. It’s good we have a break now.”
Arjen Robben went on to hit a late winner mean Bayern head into the winter break with a considerable lead at the top of the Bundesliga, leaving them 14 points clear of second-placed Wolfsburg ahead of Saturday’s fixtures.
“All credit to the team,” added. Robben
“We came from behind and we’ve won again. We can go on holiday feeling proud and happy.”
Bayern’s 45 points from 17 games is the second-best in Bundesliga history, two short of the record Bayern themselves set last season.