Manchester City have been handed a huge boost after Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola confirmed Franck Ribery will not feature in Wednesday's Champions League opener, while Arjen Robben remains a doubt.
- Lovell: Bullish Bayern in fine fettle ahead of City clash
- Guardiola: Bayern players too expensive for United
Ribery scored in his first match of the season in the 2-0 win against Stuttgart on Saturday after recovering from a knee injury sustained upon his return to training with Bayern this summer.
However, Guardiola told his prematch news conference that the winger was not fit enough to be included in his squad for the Group E clash at the Allianz Arena.
"Franck is not here, he is at home," Guardiola said. "He went to the doctor on Monday and today they told me he cannot play."
#Guardiola announces: "Arjen is here but Franck is not with us." #FCBMCFC pic.twitter.com/fXOGvMQJRX
- FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) September 16, 2014
Ribery missed France's World Cup campaign this summer with a back problem, before opting to retire from international football -- a decision questioned by UEFA president Michel Platini.
Guardiola also confirmed that Bayern are sweating over the availability of Robben, after the 30-year-old's absence from training on Sunday with a knee problem.
The Bayern boss went on to speak about City's chances in the Champions League this season, and pointed to their victory when the two sides met last term in the group stage at the Allianz Arena.
"Manchester City won [here] with [Vincent] Kompany, [Yaya] Toure, [David] Silva, [Edin] Dzeko last year -- fantastic players. They needed to win here to learn something, to learn they are able to win the Champions League," he said.
"Last season they were able to win the Champions League and this year they are ready to win the Champions League, like eight, nine or 10 teams more who can win this trophy. We would like to be one of those teams.
"City were a strong team last year. That is why they won the Premier League and deserved to."