Ribery shines as holders Bayern ease to victory

Posted Thursday, October 24, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

always, always play better," said the Spaniard, whose team is still unbeaten in the league, Champions League and German Cup.

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Plzen keeper Matus Kozacik twice let the ball slip through his hands in the opening minutes as Bayern pressed for an early goal.

Arjen Robben almost got it but his sliding effort went just wide in the sixth minute with the Czechs in disarray.

Kozacik was kept busy and did well to save shots from Ribery and Alaba as the Bavarian onslaught continued.

Ribery, who set a German record after having not been on the losing side for Bayern in 39 games, gave them a well-deserved lead with a penalty after Robben was brought down.

There was some controversy with the Dutchman, who was told not to take a penalty during the game against Mainz, refusing to take the spot kick despite Guardiola's loud orders.

"Arjen has a character and that's normal in football and this is Bayern," Ribery said. "The coach said Arjen but Arjen did not want to shoot."

Robben did not want to comment on the incident.

Alaba scored with a shot from just inside the box in the 37th minute as Bayern played cat-and-mouse with the bottom-placed Czechs.

Quickfire goals from Ribery, with a superb chip after shaking off two defenders in the box, and Schweinsteiger's fine turn in the box, followed in the second half, and substitute Goetze sealed the win from close range to end a nightmare evening for the Czechs.