Guardiola's improved me, says Ribery

The Frenchman says he is more in tune with his team-mates and believes Bayern are even better than they were when they romped to the German title in record time

Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery believes that he has become a better player under the tutelage of coach Pep Guardiola.

The former Barcelona boss took the reins at the Allianz Arena last summer and led the Bavarians to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.

The Frenchman was among the final three for last year’s Ballon d’Or and has hailed his boss’ influence on his career.

“I’ve just got better as a player thanks to Pep,” he told the Bundesliga’s official website.

“I can be used in various positions. I constantly change positions with team-mates during the game, so the opponent can’t get a clear look.

“I have a feeling that I’m always getting better and we understand each other better as players. That’s what the coach wants to see from us.

“We’ve definitely developed further because we know each other better. In this respect, we are even better than last season, in my opinion.”

Ribery started Bayern’s 4-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, playing 76 minutes before being replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri.

Guardiola: Luis Enrique will be a success at Barcelona

The ex-Blaugrana boss believes that the current incumbent is the right man to restore the Catalan club to their former glory – despite some indifferent form of late

Pep Guardiola is in no doubt that Luis Enrique is capable of making Barcelona great again.

The Bayern Munich boss led the Blaugrana to 14 trophies during his four-year stint in charge of the Liga outfit between 2008 and 2012.

However, the Catalans failed to win a major title under Gerardo Martino last season and, despite a morale-boosting win at Almeria on Saturday, the jury is still out on new coach Luis Enrique, after recent losses at Real Madrid and at home to Celta.

Guardiola, though, is adamant that his former team-mate will bring the glory days back to Camp Nou.

“He’s going to be a success,” the Bayern coach is quoted as saying by AS. “Everything in life needs time.

“Football is a process. You don’t turn up and by November you’re champions of everything.

“Everything takes time, everything needs work. Sometimes things go so smoothly, sometimes they are a bit tougher.

“I only hope I don’t meet them in the Champions League!”

Both Bayern and Barca have already booked their places in the last 16 of this season’s Champions League, though the Blaugrana will have to get the better of Paris Saint-Germain in order to progress as group winners.

Bayern interest in Ramos is pure rumour – Sammer

The reigning German champions’ sporting director has denied the club have shown any real interest in the Real Madrid defender

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has played down speculation linking the German champions with a move for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

Reports in the Spanish media have suggested the Bundesliga leaders are keen to add the 28-year-old stopper to the squad, despite splashing out €26 million to sign Mehdi Benatia from Roma in August.

But Sammer has denied any interest in the Spain international, insisting the rumours that Ramos could be brought into the club to help replace injured duo David Alaba and Javi Martinez are nonsense.

“If the rumours in Spain were true, we’d be made up of four teams and have another Spanish sporting director,” Sammer told Sky.

“Ramos has a long-term contract with a pretty club.”

Austria international Alaba suffered a knee ligament injury during Bayern’s Champions League victory over Roma last week.

The 22-year-old underwent surgery on Friday and the club are hopeful his recovery will proceed according to plan.

“FCB chief medical officer Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt said the operation was completed without complications,” read a statement on the club website.

“Alaba will be discharged form hospital on Saturday and will wear a protective plaster cast on the knee for the next 14 days.”

Muller: Flawless Bayern aren’t misplacing a single pass

The 25-year-old Germany international bagged a hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-0 victory at Frankfurt and admits his side are completely dominant at present

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller says Pep Guardiola’s side are playing flawless football right now.

The 25-year-old hit a hat-trick on Saturday as the reigning German champions hammered Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 away from home, extending their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to seven points.

Bayern dominated possession and completed more than twice as many passes as their opponents at the Commerzbank Arena, and Germany international Muller admits he feels as if everything they touch turns to gold.

“At the moment, we aren’t playing a single bad ball,” he said.

“Frankfurt were very aggressive, it was a different game compared to the ones we’re been used to recently.

“They caused us a few problems with our structure, but once we got in behind their first row, there was a lot of space, which we were able to use once or twice.”

Muller has now grabbed six goals in 10 league games in what is becoming a clinical spell of victories for Bayern.

“Thomas was ruthless in front of goal today,” added midfielder Sebastian Rode.

“Eintracht resisted well and put us under a lot of pressure, so weren’t able to build from the back as well as normal. But they ran out of steam towards the end and it was more one-sided.”

I congratulate my players – Guardiola

The Spaniard felt his side displayed an impressive level character after emerging victorious on the back of their exertions in Europe this week

Pep Guardiola said he could only congratulate his players after Bayern Munich ran out 4-0 winners over Frankfurt on Saturday.

A hat-trick from Thomas Muller set the Bavarians on their way, before substitute Xherdan Shaqiri came off the bench to seal the win late on.

Despite his side rarely looking troubled, Guardiola conceded his team were off the pace during the opening stages at the Commerzbank Arena as a result of their efforts in Europe in midweek but was impressed with the way they applied themselves.

He told reporters: “It’s always difficult after a Champions League game. We struggled in the early stages.

“Going 3-0 up it became a different game. I’d like to congratulate my players.”

The former Barcelona coach was also quick to praise opposite number Thomas Schaaf, who is beginning to feel the pressure after five straight defeats.

Guardiola added: “It’s always hard to play against a team of Thomas Schaaf. They were very aggressive in defence and had a few problems with our setup.”

The convincing win gives Bayern a seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga ahead of Wolfsburg’s home clash with Hamburg on Sunday.

However, a determined Guardiola hinted that it would not be a time for his side to put their feet up ahead of the international break.

“We now have a few days to analyse our performances and find ways to improve.”