Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack
Michael Ballackis a retired German footballer. He is among the top goal scorers in the history of the German national team. Ballack wore the number 13 shirt for every team he has played for except for Kaiserslautern. He was selected by Pelé as one of FIFA's 125 Greatest Living Players, and as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002. He won the German Footballer of the Year award three times – in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Ballack was...
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth26 September 1976
CityGorlitz, Germany
games revenge seeking situation sure tough
Yes, the 1996 final, that's one of the games I'd like to remember. It's not the same situation but I am sure the Czechs will be seeking revenge and it will be a tough match.
climbed game played pulled rankings skin
When we played them at the 2002 World Cup, it was a game we pulled by the skin of our teeth, we were lucky. They've climbed up the rankings and no one has noticed. Sometimes they are underestimated by the public.
compact game normal shooting strength win
It's not so important if I get into a shooting position. Our strength is the defense, that's where we have to win balls. We have to play our normal game, be very compact in midfield. That's our game and that's what we do best.
decisive game mood
It's a very important game for us. It's a decisive game for our confidence, for the mood in the team.
atmosphere confidence cup decisive essential game self success
It's a decisive game for our self confidence and for the atmosphere in the country. It's essential that we go into our World Cup preparations experiencing success and not having everyone questioning our abilities.
again alarm games last manage playing scoring signal situation success
If we manage to have success again in the last games nothing should happen. But it is true, the situation is dangerous. We are not playing badly, have scoring chances, but lose. That is an alarm signal which we can't ignore.
convert create european few games somebody
In European Championship games you don't usually create more than a few chances. You need somebody to convert at least one.
bad game pressure
This is like a game we have to win. The pressure has risen, which I think is not a bad thing.
games leader colleagues
A leader on the pitch is someone who can turn a game in the right direction, he isn't someone who has a go at his colleagues after the match for everything they did wrong.
title
We will not give anything away in the title race.
against arsenal capable four goals home scoring shown three
We are capable of scoring three or four goals at home and have shown that already against Arsenal and Ajax.
broke goal played tension tough
It was very tough at the start. The first goal broke the tension and we played well after that.
happy hard pleased tempo warm
It was very warm out there and hard to keep up the tempo and the pressure. But we can be pleased with 3-0. I am happy with that.
anyone good nor spoke spoken
I spoke with Bayern and it was a good discussion. That is where things stand. I haven't spoken with anyone else, nor do I want to.