Ribery: Bayern players ´no machines´

Bayern Munich have returned to the top of the Bundesliga table, but the club’s fans have been warned that their players are not ‘machines’.

Braces from Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery sealed a 4-1 win at home over Werder Bremen on Saturday, with Bayern retuning to the top of the Bundesliga table after Borussia Dortmund were held 1-1 at Borussia Moenchengladbach.

But Ribery has cautioned the club’s fans over unrealistic expectations: “If Bayern Munich doesn’t win there’s always going to be a lot of trouble. When you play for Bayern you know you will have to win,” he said.

“But sometimes this is impossible. We are no machines. But I think that today we have shown a great reaction – we scored four goals against Werder Bremen and we are on top of the table again.”

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes had watched his side lose two league games in succession, including a 3-2 defeat to Mainz last Sunday.

He cut a far happier figure after the win over Bremen, hailing the balance of his side in the win.

“The team showed a good reaction right from the beginning. Defensively we were better organised,” he said.

“We had a better balance between our offence and our defence. Every player was helping the defence.”

Robben scored a brace from the penalty spot, having only come on as a 60th-minute substitute for youngster David Alaba.

He had no hesitation stepping up to the spot for the first of his penalties, despite being on the pitch for just nine minutes.

“It is a matter of motivation. You have to be prepared for everything,” the Netherlands winger said.

“Usually I am the first (on the list of players to take the penalties). But today I wasn’t in the starting eleven. But when you go on the pitch you have to take the responsibility and score. “