Former Fiorentina and Salernitana star Franck Ribery has explained why Atalanta found it quite so difficult to play against his beloved Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie last week, and says that he 'hopes' to coach in Italy himself one day.
Atalanta were demolished 6-1 in their own back yard by Bayern Munich in last Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 first leg. The two teams will meet again at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday evening, but with such a big deficit in the scoreline, this feels like more of a formality than anything for La Dea.
Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport , Ribery explained why Atalanta found it quite so difficult against Bayern last week.
"Bayern are not just strong, but they're also doing really well at the moment. For me, they're the favourites to win the Champions League," said Ribery.
"They win because they have a great culture. There's a lot of professionalism and at the same time, it feels like a family. I'm happy to be considered a legend to their supporters. We made history with everything we won. We did it together."
MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 28: Franck Ribery poses for a picture with the Bundesliga trophy and the DFB cup during an event at FCB Erlebniswelt on May 28, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Despite being a team that tends to dominate possession, Ribery believes that the work Bayern did off the ball is what made life so difficult for Atalanta last week.
"I watched the first leg carefully. Atalanta found a lot of difficulties, Bayern also had a lot of experience on their side. They're a team that's used to controlling possession and even out of possession, they press very high and never leave their opponents any time or space to play out. That's how it was in Bergamo too. Atalanta didn't have the time or space to play.
"I have one thing to say about them, though. Well done to the Atalanta fans for supporting their team in a beautiful, sporting way. That gives an important image for all of Italian football."
After calling it a day on his playing career in 2022, Ribery returned to Italy to do his UEFA A coaching license at Italy's Coverciano.
"My goal is to become a coach, and in the meantime, study," said Ribery. "Coverciano is the ideal place. I'm happy to be there, I feel at ease. I've met a lot of good people to share my journey with."
EMPOLI, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Frank Ribery of US Salernitana looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and US Salernitana at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 27, 2023 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Ribery hasn't yet decided where exactly he wants to begin his coaching career, but he says that he would always be open to opportunities in Italy.
"I don't know where yet, let's hope for Italy, a country that I love," he said. "But, I would also accept the opportunity to get involved in other countries."
