Guardiola: I can't replace Robben and Ribery

Pep Guardiola has admitted he won't be able to replace the individual qualities of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben after the pair were ruled out of Bayern Munich's trip to Werder Bremen on Saturday.

Robben lasted just 19 minutes of Bayern's 7-0 Champions League demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, while Ribery hobbled off shortly before the hour mark.


The Netherlands international is suffering from a trapped nerve while Ribery has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle, and it is still unclear how long either winger will be sidelined.

Guardiola hopes the Bavarians can improve their record without the two wingers in his side, as they usually garner fewer points and goals in their absence.

"We have lost quality in one-on-one situations," said the Bayern coach at Friday's press conference. "We will try to refute the statistics."

Robben has been Bayern's star man this season with 17 goals in 21 league games, while Ribery has suffered an injury-plagued campaign that has limited him to just nine Bundesliga appearances since a back injury ruled him out of last summer's World Cup.

Guardiola will also be without the suspended Xabi Alonso against Bremen, as he joins long term absentees Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez in the stands.