Bayern sweat over Ribery ban

Bayern Munich are hoping UEFA will show leniency when a decision is made on Franck Ribery's red card on Wednesday night.

The Frenchman was sent off in the 37th minute of the 1-0 Champions League semi-final first leg win against Lyon for a clumsy challenge on Lisandro and will face at least a one-game ban - with Bayern desperately hoping it will be no more than that.

"He didn't lunge at him with his leg," said Bayern coach Louis van Gaal. "It is a harsh red card, but you can give it."

He added: "Franck gave the referee the chance to send him off by standing on his foot for longer than necessary. I hope he only gets banned for one match."

Ribery's team-mate Arjen Robben, who scored the winning goal in the victory, said: "It has been a tough week for him but we have got to help him because we need him. On Saturday we have a very important game against Borussia Monchengladbach and it could decide the title so we need him."

Ribery will be available for that game since any ban UEFA sanction will only apply to the Champions League and defender Philipp Lahm hopes he is only ruled out of the second leg at the Stade Gerland.

"If we do make it to the final, then he would deserve to be part of it," said the Germany international.

Lyon have had their Ligue 1 game against Monaco at the weekend postponed upon request by the French Football Federation, enabling them to focus their efforts on next Tuesday's second leg. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas hopes his side can take full advantage of their weekend break.

"We need to prepare the whole city of Lyons for this match, which could send us into the final of the Champions League," he said.

"I think we are capable of doing what must be done and we need to have the physical strength that we lacked.We are still hopeful."