Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal yesterday expressed his delight at the level of fitness shown by France playmaker Franck Ribery in comparison to the same stage last year as the German champions prepare for the opening of their title defence against VfL Wolfsburg next Friday.

Van Gaal, who guided Bayern to the domestic double last season as well as the Champions League final, said that Ribery had suffered no ill effects after playing against Real Madrid in a friendly on Friday.

“Ribery is doing really well, I have a really good feeling as far as he is concerned,” said Van Gaal, who will be missing Dutch winger Arjen Robben till October because of a thigh injury aggravated during the World Cup.

“He is really impressing in training, he has already played an hour (against Real Madrid) when we had to wait for two months last season for him to even play that amount.”

Van Gaal said that there was nothing to worry about as far as little niggles were concerned regarding Ribery, even allowing himself a rare joke.

“Everything couldn’t be better, he has no physical problem, the problems with his Achilles tendon, his groin or his teeth, everything is absoultely fine,” said Van Gaal, whose side take on Fifth Division Windeck in the first round of the German Cup today.

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