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Following a much-needed win over Karlsruhe, Bayern Munich icon Oliver Kahn has compared in-form team-mate and goal-scorer on the night Franck Ribery to former World Player of the Year and French legend Zinedine Zidane...

Ribery has been in absolutely devastating form for the German giants since signing from Marseille this summer, and though not quite in the goals to the extent of a Cristiano Ronaldo, his simmering performances are threatening to take him to such heights.

So often during Bayern's season he has provided crucial goals and assists and even when without such end product has proved one of the most menacing and dangerous players on the pitch.

Speaking to Die Welt, goalkeeper Oliver Kahn paid young Franck the ultimate compliment when suggesting he could be compared to Zinedine Zidane.

Though Ribery is fast, dynamic and plays down the wing while Zidane mesmerised as the maestro in the middle of the park during his days, Kahn believes the finesse of Ribery's technique and the way in which he can control the pace of the game earn him the comparison with the man dubbed by many as the best footballer since Diego Maradona.

“We can compare him to Zidane,” declared Kahn. “Because of his technique and of the rhythm he brings during the games and all the things he does on the pitch.”

For Ribery to reach Zidane-like heights, Bayern's revolution will need to see them not only qualify for this season's Champion's League — which looks a near-certainty after last season's calamitous failure — but also compete until the latter stages and win the competition, as the side have been noted for doing throughout their history.

Nevertheless, Die Bundesliga often fails to match up to the likes of the Premier League, La Liga or even a currently dwindling Serie A and Die Roten will be praying that the winger doesn't depart for the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona or Arsenal, who were interested in the player before his move to Germany.

Goal.com - Bayern Munich - Kahn Hails 'Zidane-Like' Ribery

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