Ribery says defeat would be ‘brutal’ for Abramovich

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will not contemplate losing tomorrow’s Champions League final, according to Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.

The Frenchman is looking forward to appearing in his first Champions League final after missing out due to suspension against Inter two years ago, but he knows Abramovich has been waiting even longer to get his hands on the prized piece of silverware.

“Abramovich has wanted to win the Champions League for so long,” he said.

“If they lose it on Saturday then it will be brutally tough. It would ruin them in the head and really lower morale.”

Negative thoughts are not passing through Ribery’s mind either, though, as he looks to put a disappointing domestic season behind him with Europe’s ultimate club prize.

Bayern finished runners-up in the Bundesliga and lost to the league champions Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in the final of the German Cup last Saturday, which is why another disappointment does not even bear consideration.

“We are definitely not thinking about losing. If you lose, then you are distraught,” he said.

“If we win the Champions Lea-gue, then we can forget about not winning the league or the cup this year, nobody would care about that anymore. I have achieved a lot with Bayern. I have won the league and the cup several times and now to win the Champions League would be historic.”

Simply taking the field to-morrow will be a historic moment for the 29-year-old, who was a frustrated spectator in Madrid two years ago.

That experience will come in useful in the dressing room this time with no fewer than three Bayern players – defenders David Alaba and Holger Badstuber and midfielder Luiz Gustavo – sidelined for tomorrow’s showcase event.

“I will try to help them, but it will not be easy for them to be suspended,” Ribery said.

“It’s not easy for the little lad Alaba. He’s only 19 and it is very tough. I just try to tell him that he is still with us and we have got here with him.”