Bayern's Van Gaal slams Ribery for lack of effort

BERLIN (Reuters) -- Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal sharply criticized winger Franck Ribery on Friday, saying the Frenchman needed to work harder on his comeback after his seven-week injury lay-off.

Frenchman Ribery played some 75 minutes during a friendly match against Unterhaching on Wednesday after his brief Bundesliga comeback last week against Nuremberg, but his coach was less than impressed.

"He did not put in any effort (against Unterhaching) and showed no commitment. That is a shame," Van Gaal told reporters ahead of their trip to second-placed Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Ribery was included in a makeshift Bayern team featuring professionals and amateurs following his absence since Sept. 21 due to a torn right ankle ligament.

He set up one goal in their 2-1 win but Van Gaal was unimpressed.

"None of them put in much effort but least of all Ribery," said the Dutchman. "He caused no confusion at all. I am not organizing these games for myself."

Bayern are in sixth place in the Bundesliga on 19 points from 12 games after a rocky start to the season marked by the absence of several key players including Ribery, Arjen Robben and strikers Miroslav Klose and Ivica Olic through injury.