Franck Ribery thinks Bayern Munich’s new coach Pep Guardiola’s new formation plans for the team are a little on the “weird” side, especially with respect to the variable position that can be seen in action at Barcelona which Lionel Messi controls.
“The 4-1-4-1 formation is strange. It’s new and completely different,” said the player, in a statement in the popular German newspaper Bild, where Ribery adds that they must “learn and train hard” before “perfectly masterering” such a system.
In the four games so far under the direction of Guardiola, Ribéry has played in different positions and from the outset, the German media have attributed the player’s new role as the “new Messi” at Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, Guardiola says that the important thing is not the system, but how the players move within it. The current European Champions are preparing for the coming season near Lake Garda in northern Italy.
Ex Barca coach Pep Guardiola has impressed the Germans with his ability to speak the language. Although he’s not fluent yet, the words he uses in his press conferences have made a tremendous impression on the fans and because of this have warmed to their new coach.
Guardiola had been on a sabbatical in New York learning the language before being presented to the German media and press.This self sacrificing act has gone down well with the German people who may have expected the ex Barcelona man to speak in English rather than try the difficult German tongue.
Many Bayern fans are looking forward to the friendly match on 24th July against FC Barcelona at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, to be followed three days after by the Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund, the first title at stake in the “Guardiola era” at the German giants.
The players will have to adapt quickly