Bayern Munich defeated Schalke 2-0 to climb back to second in the Bundesliga table.
Ribery the star of the show as Schalke are beaten
Bayern Munich produced the perfect response to their UEFA Champions League setback this week by beating Schalke 2-0 to climb back to second in the Bundesliga.
Two goals from Franck Ribery earned the Bavarians all three points and put four points between themselves and their opponents in the table.
Neither of the league's top goalscorers, Bayern's Mario Gomez and Schalke's Klaas Jan Huntelaar, were able to add to their 18 goals for the season as Ribery took all the plaudits.
Bayern were desperate to return to winning ways after losing 1-0 at Basle in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Timo Hildebrand stood between them and an early lead, the former Germany No.1 making quick-fire saves from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben.
He then denied the Dutchman again with Muller unable to convert the rebound as Bayern seized the initiative.
Heart
Ribery was just too late to reach Muller's cross in the 31st minute, but he timed his run to perfection to latch onto Luiz Gustavo's pass and beat the onrushing Hildebrand and follow the ball into the empty goal.
The goal clearly came as a huge relief to Ribery, who was given a yellow card for his excessive celebrations.
Holger Badstuber nearly made it two when he headed against the crossbar early in the second half.
Ribery was at the heart of everything for the home team and, after setting up a few chances which were wasted by his team-mates, he doubled his side's advantage himself in the 55th minute.
He exchanged passes with Muller before beating Hildebrand with a shot which took a slight deflection off Kyriakos Papadopoulos on its way in.
Ivica Olic denied his own team-mate, Muller, a goal when he greedily headed the ball across the line - from an offside position - in the 73rd minute. Had the Croatian not touched the ball, the goal would have counted.
It did not prove to be a costly mistake, however, as Schalke were unable to mount a recovery.
