Bayern Munich's France midfielder Franck Ribery admitted Sunday he is impatient to face compatriots Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday when all French eyes will be on him.
“Finally, the Champions League game is here,” an excited Ribery told Die Welt on Sunday ahead of the Group F clash at Munich's Allianz Arena.
The 25-year-old only returned from injury a week ago after three months out with torn ankle ligaments playing for France in Euro 2008 and missed Bayern's opening Champions League win at Steaua Bucharest earlier this month.
“It is a very special match for me, as it is against Lyon, and I am very impatient for the match to start.
“I am quite conscious that this Tuesday all of my country will have their eyes turned towards me.”
Ribery made his first appearance of the season for Bayern in the 5-2 defeat to Werder Bremen last weekend when he came off the bench for the last 25 minutes.
He also played the second-half at Hanover on Saturday when Bayern were beaten 1-0 – their second consecutive league defeat – to go ninth in the Bundesliga on Saturday night.
And the French star admitted his side were “perhaps missing something” after their less then impressive start to the season as coach Jurgen Klinsmann rotated his squad to rest players ahead of the Lyon visit.
“In terms of quality, our team can rival the big clubs of Europe like Chelsea or Barcelona,” said Ribery.
“But perhaps our manpower is not sufficiently packed to succeed head to head with the large teams. On that point, perhaps we are missing something,” said Ribery.
But the Frenchman says he remains positive about Bayern's chances of turning their season around.
Ribery said: “One should expect these difficulties, because there are many new innovations at the club.
“We need time to apply the philosophy of Jurgen Klinsmann.
“When that happens, we will be better, and we will try to again be the champions of Germany.”
Ribery added his goal is to help Bayern reach the Champions League quarter-finals or beyond.
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