Speaking ahead of the Club World Cup, the winger feels lifting the trophy in Morocco would be “a perfect end” to the year – but warns they are out to do it all again in 2014
Franck Ribery has insisted that can storm to a second successive treble this season as the Bavarians prepare for this month’s Club World Cup.
Die Roten are in Morocco ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final clash with AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande, with a final against host side Raja Casblanca or Copa Libertadores winner Atletico Mineiro up for grabs.
The French winger, who is one of the three players left in the running for the Ballon d’Or alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, sees no reason why the Bavarians cannot be back at the tournament in a year’s time by defending their Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal crowns.
“We want to and can defend all three titles next year,” Ribery, 30, is quoted as saying by Bild.
“Winning the Club World Cup would be the perfect end to a super year.”
Despite his confidence that an unprecedented second treble in a row can be achieved under Pep Guardiola this season, Ribery played down suggestions that Bayern have the Bundesliga title secured already despite their nearest contenders falling behind the champions’ relentless pace at the summit.
“We must not think that we have won the title, that goes without saying,” the France international added.
“It doesn’t matter if Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are 12 and seven points behind us respectively. We must continue to concentrate and work.”
-By Miles Chambers