Franck Ribery's first goal of the season was a deserved reward for his unselfish play this season according to Niko Kovac, who singled the Frenchman out for praise after his performance in Bayern Munich's 5-1 win over Benfica.
Ribery scored Bayern's fifth goal in a resounding victory that confirmed the Bavarians' place in the last 16 of the Champions League, while Benfica's hopes of progressing from Group E were ended.
On a night when Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski scored two goals each, Bayern head coach Kovac praised the contribution of 35-year-old winger Ribery in particular.
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"He was finally able to reward himself," Kovac told reporters.