Michael Ballack

Ballack fined by German Federation for using a bullhorn

2011-04-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

Bayern Leverkusen's Michael Ballack was fined with US$ 11,000 by the German Football Federation for using a bullhorn to sing offensive rymes during a bundesliga game.

Indeed, in the last game between Bayern Leverkusen and Cologne, captain Ballack used a bullhorn to lead his crowd sing some insulting chants against Cologne fans. The player apollogized later, but the punishment was still announced by the Federation.

Sidney Sam scored in Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 win over Schalke 04

2010-11-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

With a surprising counter attack, Bayern Leverkusen crushed Schalke 04 hopes of getting three points and scale some positions in the Bundesliga. Indeed, Jupp Heynckes's team beat Schalke 1-0 and are now in the third position of the tournament.

Even when Leverkusen don't have their captain Michael Ballack, the team seems to be equilibrated and lucky enough to win games like these. It's true that Felix Magath's side dominated the actions most of the time, but their poor precision of their strikers was the key for their defeat.

Sidney Sam netted the opener after a long pass by Sven Bender. Keeper Manuel Neuer could do nothing to stop the blast. And Schalke, who were launching several attacks at that point, had no reaction after this goal.

Michael Ballack will not be back on a football field until 2011

2010-10-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

Even though Michael Ballack and his doctors knew that the recovery time would be long, they had the hope that the talented midfielder was going to be ready to play in december. But some recent tests suggest that this will not happen.

Indeed, the Bayer Leverkusen star plans to cancel his Christmas vacation in order to work himself into shape. As we know, he broke a bone of his leg and the recovery of that kind of injury not only includes the bone healing, but the muscles as well.

Michael Ballack Wallpaper 2010

2010-10-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

Save this excellent wallpaper with Ballack ruling at Bayern Leverkusen 2010. To save your wallpaper, follow these steps:

1. Pick your wallpaper and your screen resolution.
2. Click on it to expand the image.
3. Right click on the image to open the menu, then click on "Save image as"
4. Save it!

1024 x 768:

1280 x 800:

1360 x 768:

As Chelsea prepare to face United, Michael Ballack ruins Ancelotti's joke for April Fool's day

2010-04-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Italian manager assured that his attempt to play an April Fool's Day joke was ruined by the talented midfielder.

As Chelsea began the training day thinking about the clash with Manchester United, Ancelotti ordered to change the usual dynamic and do a double session instead.

Ballack simply adressed the coach and said: "It's April Fool's Joke right?"

Asked about the match with Ferguson's team, the coach said that "it's a definitive clash for this season" and they will try to win the game by any means.

Michael Ballack: We didn't push Scolari away form Chelsea

2009-02-18T21:54:00.000-08:00

German player Michael Ballack has defended himself against accusations that he was part of a plot to oust coach Scolari, who was fired as Chelsea manager eight days ago. The midfielder has also denied that recent meetings with the team's owner, Roman Abramovich, were out of the ordinary and were where Scolari's fate was decided.

However, the German footballer has revealed that there was a language barrier between the footballers and their Brazilian former manager, who lasted only seven months at Stamford Bridge, causing problems as the team tried to maintain a challenge for the Premier League title.

In fact, when Scolari was sacked, Ballack's name was mentioned as part of a clique of footballers who had started to agitate for Abramovich to take action as the team's erratic and increasingly poor results meant their attempt to regain the Premier League title was falling away.

But the Germany captain has strongly denied this was the case. He expressed: "I couldn't believe this, when it was expressed. I was surprised when I heard about it in Germany last week. It’s amazing to notice that when I was asked about him I always had a lot of amazing words about him. This is speculation. This is not true."

Ballack, who arrived at Chelsea on a free transfer from Bayern Munich three years ago, freely admits to conversations with Abramovich, and in despite of that, vehemently denied there was any link between these and Scolari's dismissal.

The player expressed: "This is normal in a team to speak with the owner, people speak with each other, even if you don't have the success you want. It has happened before. It's not just this week. It happened with other coaches.

"It's normal Abramovich comes in the dressing room, he speaks with footballers, staff, everybody. Afterwards, they sack the manager, and in despite of that, these have nothing to do with this. It's not easy, not a nice situation if they sack somebody. Indeed, this was in the papers and in despite of that, definitely not true."

Ballack added: "There is no basis for this. I have a direct line with the owner, that's what I read, that I spoke to the owner. This is definitely not true. I had a amazing relationship with every coach. I never expressed this. It's speculation in newspapers. I was disappointed to read this and I couldn't react because I was away last week.

"German papers were surprised to hear because I have been talking to them about Scolari in a positive way. In recent months I've expressed amazing things about the coach. and in despite of that, if you don't get the results, a lot of people speak."

Instead, Ballack has shifted some of the blame on to himself and his side-mates, who are fourth in the Premier League, seven points behind the leaders Manchester United. That gap could grow to 10 if United defeat Fulham tomorrow night. Ballack added: "We know as footballers we didn't play our best, we didn't get the results especially in the league. In football it is always like this. If a side loses and is not playing well, in 90 per cent of cases it's the manager who pays. We as footballers know it's not just the manager's fault. We are on the pitch. and in despite of that, he pays for it."

In fact, Manchester City are ready to go back to Chelsea to try to lure away John Terry this summer, having been given some encouragement during last month's transfer victorydow that a bid for him might be successful.

It’s amazing to notice that City had initially dismissed the idea of an approach for the England captain and bracketed Terry among those footballers for whom bids were never likely to be successful. and in despite of that, despite Terry's insistence yesterday that he would not entertain leaving Stamford Bridge, there appears to be more to the story than meets the eye, with City given the initial impression that Terry was interested in discussing the prospect of a move to Eastlands, which would increase his wages to make him the best-paid footballer in British football .

It might appear that Chelsea were more unequivocal than Terry' representatives. When City's executive chairman, Garry Cook, spoke to Peter Kenyon, the Chelsea chief executive, about Terry's availability last month, the inquiry was dismissed out of hand.

Chelsea vs Hull City at the Premier League

2009-02-06T23:13:00.000-08:00

Third place Chelsea host eleventh place Hull City at Stamford Bridge this weekend, a win for the Tigers could put them in the top ten whereas a Chelsea could step up to second.

Indeed, Hull have a mammoth task onh thier hands to beat the Blues, as Chelsea hold a hundred percent record against the three promoted clubs this season.

Chelsea also boost the strongest attack in the Premier League with forty-four goals scored and Hull have the weakest defence at forty-six goals conceded.

Kose Bosingwa and Frank Lampard of Chelsea and Michael Turner are the only remaining players to have started all of Premier League encounteres this season for their respective clubs. Turner has been on the field for every minute of Hull's League encounteres.

Nicolas Anelka is the top scorer in the Premier League with seventeen goals in all competitions but he has failed ot find the net in his last eight League appearances.

Hull's Nick Barmy needs two goals to reach one hundred club career goals and squad mate Dean Marney will be making his 150th club career appearance (Tottenham, Swindon, QPR, Gillingham, Norwich and Hull).

If selected Chelsea's Michael Ballack will be making his one hundredth appearance for the Blues.

Germany vs. Norway: Ballack will be present

2009-02-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

Chelsea popular player Michael Ballack and Bremen's Torsten Frings have both been recalled to the Germany squad to face Norway in a friendly next Wednesday, but there is no place for Lukas Podolski.

Frings's Werder squad-mate Mesut Oezil, 20, has been called up for the first time as has Hoffenheim's Andreas Beck, while Borussia Moenchengladbach teenager Marko Marin is in line to win his fifth cap against Norway.

In fact, veteran Frings returned after being dropped from the starting side for the World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Wales last October which led to captain Ballack stating senior players deserve more respect and loyalty from coach Joachim Loew.

Ballack's words sparked a public row with Loew, but the matter was later resolved after the Chelsea midfielder apologised.

Neither player was selected to face England in last November's friendly, which Fabio Capello's side won 2-1 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, as Ballack was injured and Frings was not considered.

Meanwhile, after some impresive performances for Bremen, Oezil had to choose between Germany and Turkey, from where his family originates, and the Germany Under-21 popular player was delighted with his promotion to die Mannschaft.

"I am pleased about the invitation and hope to take my chance in the German national squad," expressed Oezil on the German Football Federation (DFB) website.

"It’s true that it is the correct choice.

"The decision was not an easy one to make, because my family and many friends originate from Turkey.

"It was not a decision against my Turkish roots.

"My family is now the third generation in Germany and I have always felt my chance lay with the DFB.

"So I hope I can continue my success with the Germany Under-21 squad at the European Championships in Sweden this summer."

Loew had been waiting to see if Oezil would opt to play for Germany and the pair spoke last Friday.

"The Turkish federation have been trying to win over Mesut recently and he was in a difficult situation," expressed Loew.

"We understood and had to wait until he decided who he wants to play for.

"In a telephone call with me last Friday, he told me he wants to play for the Germany squad.

"He is another candidate for the midfield and he will get his chance against Norway."

As well as midfielders Frings and Ballack, Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm is also back in the squad after injury, while Bayer Leverkusen's Stefan Kiessling has earned a re-call.

Kiessling's only international encounter appearance was in March 2007 against Denmark in the 1-0 defeat at Duisburg.

"Stefan has played very well so far in the Bundesliga and has earned his chance," expressed Loew.

But there is no place in the Germany squad for Bayern's Lukas Podolski, who is third-choice striker at Munich and has struggled with a back injury and illness this season.

"The qualities of Lukas are undisputed and he played very well for the national squad last year," expressed Loew.

"Still, for three months he has been injured and suffered illness, so regular training was not possible for him," expressed Loew.

"We want to give him time to get his form back and this clash was too early for him.

"We hope he will be back for the World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales in Cardiff later this season."

Germany squad:

Goalkeepers: Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)

Defenders:

Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Andreas Hinkel (Celtic Glasgow/SCO), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04).

Midfield:

Michael Ballack (Chelsea/ENG), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), Marko Marin (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Mesut Oezil (Werder Bremen), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg)

Forwards:

Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Patrick Helmes (Bayer Leverkusen), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich)

Ballack responds to Ferguson's statement

2008-07-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

The talented Michael Ballack has hit back at Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's suggestion that Chelsea will be less of a threat in the upcoming season.

Alex Ferguson said that he did not expect to see "outstanding progress coming from a team in their 30s".

But the German player said: "Our team can still improve. If you are 30 or 31 you are not old.

"Claude Makelele was 34 and played well last season. This sort of banter occurs between people during the summer."

Makelele, now 35, switched to French club Paris St Germain on Monday, while Ballack has recently joined up with the Chelsea squad on tour in the Far East after helping Germany reach the final of Euro 2008.

He is looking forward to working with new Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge.

"It is different, you know someone for a few moments but now we are together every day and I am looking forward to it," he added.

"in fact, we have only talked for a few minutes since he took over but he is a nice person. He is a successful coach and that is why he is here. He has not spoken to me about his philosophy but we have a good team like last year and we can play a lot of systems."

Michael Ballack also revealed that he would like England midfielder Frank Lampard to remain at the club next season. The 30-year-old former West Ham star has been linked with a move to Inter Milan during the summer transfer window.

"It would be fantastic if he could stay at Chelsea," stated Ballack.

"He is a big player for the club and has done a lot for the club but it is up to him. He knows we are all behind him."

Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa is facing three weeks on the sidelines after tearing a thigh muscle on his debut and is poised to miss the Premier League opener against Portsmouth on 17 August.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Blues in a £16.2m move from Porto in May, managed only 20 minutes against Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical on the Far East tour before suffering the problem.

He was sent for a scan in Macau and it was then decided to send him back to England for treatment.

Blues boss Scolari confirmed: "He is out for two weeks minimum for treatment and he won't be able to play for three weeks.

"At the moment, he is out of the first clash against Portsmouth. I have players who can cover."

Ballack and Cech invite Lampard to stay at Chelsea

2008-07-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

According to many newspapers in Europe, the talented Frank Lampard is about to move to italian club Inter of Milan.

That's why Micheal Ballack publicly invited Lampard to stay: "He knows that we need him- he said-, it would be great if he stayed here with us. He is a big player and he has done a lot for Chelsea, but it just depends on him".

The same words come out of the Czech goalkeeper's, Peter Cech, mouth: "I hope he will renew his contract, anyway he is certainly playing with us next year".

Chelsea increases expectations in their Asian tour

2008-07-26T20:03:00.001-07:00

Luiz Felipe Scolari can be proud of his start at Chelsea: with two handsome wins and 11 goals. However, it would be premature to hail the Brazilian’s rebranded team as the great entertainers.

Indeed, such was the poverty of the opposition in Macau yesterday that Chelsea’s players have probably exerted themselves more in kickabouts in their back gardens. The visitors were able to stroll through this game, slicing open their hosts at will. Had they wanted to rack up double figures, they would surely have done so. Total control? Absolutely. But did they showed a total football? I can say they didn't.

In midweek, Luis Felipe Scolari growled at the mere mention of Jose Mourinho, stating that, like the famous Sinatra, he would do it his way and that beautiful football would come second to winning.

But the message from his footballers is that the former Brazil and Portugal manager is advocating a more gung-ho style in training, with two strikers rather than the one that has been the norm, and the club’s deep reservoir of attacking midfielders encouraged to show their creativity in football.

Yet there was more than a hint of Jose Mourinho in the personnel and formation that Scolari selected. It was a strong starting XI for late July and the tactics were a throw-back to Mourinho’s time, three central midfielders and two wingers complementing a single striker, in this case the French Nicolas Anelka.

As hosts, Chengdu Blades could not have been more hospitable. They are owned by Sheffield United but they showed no steel. The Blues scored three in the first half and four in the second, the pick of which was a delightful backheeled flick from substitute Joe Cole, one of two goals for the winger in his first pre-season game. Anelka, Salomon Kalou, Frank Lampard, Argentinian teenager Franco Di Santo and Shaun Wright-Phillips weighed in with goals.

Indeed, there was occasional slickness in Chelsea’s play, Essien typically shining in two different roles, firstly anchoring the midfield and later at right-back, while Deco and Frank Lampard dovetailed effectively in central midfield without getting in one other’s way. On the down side, Deco made a few rash challenges and would surely have been shown a yellow card in a Premier League fixture.

It's interesting to see that Scolari was a relaxed presence on the bench, choosing to stay rooted to his seat for the whole game. He clapped the opening two goals, was undemonstrative for the rest and laughed when the seventh crept in via Wright-Phillips’s shoulder.

Pre-season rides do not come much easier than this but Scolari says it was exactly the type of run-out he wanted and that his lineup for the opening Premier League match against Portsmouth on August 16 will be shaped by the considerably tougher fixtures in Moscow on Friday and Sunday.

“Look, for us, this is match training. If I was at Cobham it would make it the same,” he expressed. “We are here not only to play games but other things and for me it is better because I build my team for the Russian games and after that I have the team for the first game against Portsmouth.”

One footballer the manager knows very well is Deco, who contributed a full 90-minute shift despite his exertions for Portugal in the summer, evidence perhaps that Scolari wants this key cog in the wheel in prime shape for the start of the league season.

Goals: Chelsea: Anelka 15, Kalou 31, Lampard 38, J Cole 55, 82, Di Santo 66, Wright-Phillips 83

CHENGDU BLADES: Lan Yi, Liu Cheng, Demar, Li Mingyi (Ding Qi 55min), Zhu Xiaogang (Xu Chao 62min), Zhang Chaosong (Yang Zezhi h-t), Li Tie (Peng Xingli 78min), Xia Qiqi (Zhou Peng 55min), Zhou Yougen (Jiang Xiaoyu 82min), Shi Jun (Denilson h-t), Wang Song

CHELSEA: Cech (Hilario 60min), Ferreira (Ivanovic h-t), Alex (Carvalho h-t), Terry (J Cole 53min), A Cole (Bridge h-t), Deco, Essien, Lampard (Mikel h-t), Wright-Phillips, Anelka (Di Santo 60min), Kalou (Malouda h-t)

Ballack must accept another second place in his career

2008-07-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

No matter how hard he fights. Michael Ballack even wound up with a gash above his right eye but his team was defeated 1-0 in the European Championship final against Spain and now has another runner-up medal to go with the three he collected with Chelsea this past season.

Second place yet again a month after Ballack and his FC Chelsea teammates lost a penalty shootout to Manchester United in the Champions League final and the Red Devils edged them to the Premier League title. Add that to a loss to Tottenham Hotspurs in the less prestigious League Cup final at Wembley Stadium, and that makes four runner-up prizes in four months for the Germany captain.

It also means that the nation that has won the title three times and was in its sixth final now hasn't won one of soccer's top international prizes in 12 years. Make that 14 because the next championship, the World Cup, isn't for another two years.

At the end of a game he nearly missed because of a calf muscle injury, Ballack stood near the centre circle, almost surrounded by Spanish players celebrating their deserved victory and first European title in 44 years. At first anyone would go near him. Eventually he was consoled by Germany coach Joachim Loew and, slowly, his teammates went up to share the pain he was feeling.

While Michael Ballack stands every chance of winning trophies with Chelsea next season, he must now wonder when he's going to win a title in national colours.

World Cup qualifying starts for Germany in September and those finals aren't until 2010, when he will be 33.

While Spain thoroughly deserved its victory and long overdue title, it's easy to feel sorry for Ballack. Although he won Bundesliga and cup titles with Bayern Munich, he also lost in the 2002 Champions League final when Bayer Leverkusen went down to Real Madrid.

Ballack also missed out at the 2000 and 2004 Euros when Germany was knocked out in the first round each time. He also missed out on playing in the World Cup final in 2002 in Yokohama, Japan, because of suspension and had to watch Germany lose to Brazil 2-0.

However, this final should have been made for him. The possibility of him missing the game through a calf muscle injury that flared up two days ago set up a dramatic story on the day of the final. Would Germany's captain and inspirational figure run out to lead the squad for its biggest game since the 2002 World Cup final?

When the team lineups were announced, there was a collective gasp of relief from the 15,000 German fans in the Ernst Happel Stadium and trepidation among the Spaniards that Ballack might at last produce the performance that would deny them a title they had been waiting for since the 1964 European Championship.

Showing no signs of the calf muscle injury, Ballack was in the game early and Germany created the better chances in the early stages. He pushed the ball through the legs of Spain defender Carles Puyol and delivered a cross but no German was there to take advantage.

But the talented Spain went ahead through Fernando Torres' 33rd-minute goal and, from then on, it became a struggle for Ballack and his team.

When the captain went up to challenge Spain midfielder Marcos Senna for a header, he fell to the turf with blood seeping from a cut near his right eye.

He was up after two minutes and back on the field. But the doubtful referee Rosetti ran over to him, examined his eye in the manner boxing referees do to injured fighters, and sent him off again to get more treatment. Once more Michael was lying on his leg as German trainers dabbed his eye and tried to stop the flow of blood and, forced to change his bloodstained shirt, was back on the field again.

First the calf muscle scare and now the sight of their captain lying on his back being treated for a cut. No wonder German fans don't think football gives them many breaks these days after all those years of titles and domination.

Almost as if the blow on the head had affected him, Ballack was involved in a scuffle with Spain defenders Carlos Marchena and Carles Puyol only two minutes before halftime and wound with a yellow card from Rosetti after he fouled one of the Spaniards.

He cooled down enough after the break and almost scored Germany's equalizer in the 59th minute with a first-time shot which flicked the side of the net.

With Spain chasing a second goal, however, Ballack was labouring in his midfield role and struggling to get back to help his overworked defenders. With time running out, he would stand with his hands on his hips wondering how he could manage to turn the game around.

All those runner-up medals and semifinals and near misses are a poor return for one of Germany's greats. This should have been Michael Ballack's day. The one big chance to show frustrated German fans that he could deliver the title after all those disappointments.

However, it was another great opportunity that ran away. A little like the blood that trickled down the side of his face.

Ballack chooses yacht club for his wedding reception

2008-07-04T22:36:00.000-07:00

German footballer Michael Ballack has chosen an exclusive and fancy yacht club for his wedding reception later this month, according to some newspaper.

Indeed, the Chelsea midfielder is due to marry his long-time partner Simone Lambe, 30, at a ceremony ahead of the reception in the Bavarian Yacht Club on Lake Starnberg at the foot of the German Alps.

It's quite interesting to say that 400 guests are due to attend the reception, expected to take place July 14-15, the Munich newspaper tz reported.

The couple, who have known each other for 10 years and have three children, will probably wed in Munich, where they applied for a marriage licence before the European football championships in June.

Berlin’s DJ Noppe has been hired to provide the music at the reception. He carried out a similar function at Ballack’s 30th birthday party in London last year.

Ballack and his family lived near Lake Starnberg when he played for Bayern Munich before his move to Chelsea in 2006.

Ballack assures that Chelsea made him a better player

2007-06-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

The talented Michael Ballack is convinced that he has improved as a footballer since moving to Chelsea. And the critics agree with him.

Although many pundits believe the Blue midfielder has been a flop since moving to Stamford Bridge from Bayern Munich last summer, the player is of the opinion he has further developed his game in the United Kingdom.

"It was pretty much as I expected it to be: very difficult," Ballack admitted Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. "I went in search of a new challenge, and I found one. Highs and lows are just part of it, but that is great because that is how I can develop.

"In fact, I have not lost any of my strength. In fact, I have developed further while in England.” he concluded. The German National Team will increase their level with Ballack's best performance, and football lovers thank him.

Controversy over Ballack's surgery

2007-05-03T23:19:00.000-07:00

In a very controversial moment, the German Football Association have defended team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, who decided to perform ankle surgery on captain Michael Ballack. According to them, the player is was in risk of a serious injury without immediate treatment.

“Indeed, our team doctor said that an immediate operation was unavoidable and urgently needed,” DFB spokesman Harald Stenger said on the official website.

As we know, mass media in England have criticised the timing of the operation that has deprived Chelsea of Ballack in the run-in to the end of the season with the club chasing three more titles.

“We must notice that any training or playing could have led to an aggravation and even endangered Ballack’s career,” Stenger assured.

British newspapers suggested that the talented midfielder chose to have the surgery without first consulting Chelsea officials, but Stenger added: “Dr Mueller-Wohlfahrt said he informed both Chelsea doctors in a telephone conversation and explained to them why an immediate operation was required.”

It's important, as we can see, to mention that Ballack injured his ankle against Newcastle United in a Premier League game on April 22. He also missed the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at home to Liverpool, which Chelsea won 1-0, and Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers.

The player said he flew to Munich to see Mueller-Wohlfahrt – the Germany National team doctor as well as his doctor at former club Bayern Munich over the last four years – for a second opinion after there was no improvement for four days.

Later, Ballack dismissed the criticism and said suggestions in the media that the DFB doctor wanted to ensure he would be ready for Germany’s European Championship qualifiers in June was absurd.

“It’s really ridiculous to see any connection between this operation and international matches in June,” Ballack assured. “No footballer in the world would risk missing an FA Cup final against Manchester (United), a Champions League semi-final against Liverpool, for a EuroCup qualifying game against San Marino.

Ballack: "Effenberg would be a great coach for Bayern Munich"

2007-03-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

From time to time, Michael Ballack feels like speaking like a coach. That's why he has tipped Stefan Effenberg to become the next coach of Bayern Munich coach if Ottmar Hitzfeld leaves at the end of the season.

"In fact, Effenberg has expert knowledge, he is identified with the club and he would come to the job fresh," Ballack admitted in a publication.

"He's a really strong personality and he carries natural authority."

We must remember that Effenberg had two spells with Bayern as a player and led the club to their Champions League triumph in 2001. When he left in 2002, Bayern signed Michaeñ Ballack as his direct replacement.

And even when Effenberg has no experience as a coach, Ballack believes he would be a natural for the important role.

"Yes, Juergen Klinsmann didn't have any experience before he became Germany coach," Ballack reminds us.

It's clever to notice that Hitzfeld returned for a second spell as Bayern coach in place of Felix Magath last month. However, he has yet to confirm whether he will continue in the role next season.

Ballack answers to Shearer's words

2007-02-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

Michael Ballack has arguments to defend himself from the critics, and he assures he donesn't play thinking about it.

And we must consider that the latest in a long line of critics has been former England star Alan Shearer, who claims Michael Ballack is not showing enough effort or hunger to succeed in the Premier League.

The German captain makes no secret of his contempt for these critics, claiming he just needs some time to settle.

"I really don't care what people write or say about me," Ballack admitted. "It doesn't bother me. Shearer can say what he wants, but that's life."

"We msut remember that Chelsea are double champions and so expectations are high and the expectations grow, especially when you are slightly behind."

"Indeed, we have to live with that, especially the new players in the team. But I feel well-integrated within Chelsea FC and I am feeling completely comfortable here.

"In fact, I have found my role within the team and get sufficient acknowledgement and support from the team, especially from Mourinho. We are talking a lot together."

According to the numbers, Chelsea currently trail Manchester United by six points in the race for the Premiership title, and Ballack knows that it will be a tough task if the are to overhaul the Red devils.

"It will be really hard to catch Manchester United because they are playing constantly on a very good level," he continued. "We still have to play them at home.

"However, we know that we can't afford any more slip-ups and we have to put them under pressure whenever possible" the talented German concluded.

Ballack says team tactics are not helping him

2007-01-06T23:24:00.000-08:00

In a very controversial statement, Michael Ballack assured that the coach's tactics as the reason why he has not made a bigger impact at Chelsea Football Club.

The talented midfielder was expected to be a key performer for the Blues this season after his summer switch from German team Bayern Munich on a free transfer but is struggling to hit peak form.

Despite many critics, Ballack believes that the Blues are not playing to his strengths. He expressed: "I would have hoped there would be more crosses in the air for me to score from. I remember that at Munich the tactics were similar but there were far more crosses.

"The kind of football play is slightly different from what I was used to. The full-backs do not press forward as they did at Bayern.

"What's more, if we sometimes change and play with forwards on the wings, they are the type of players that like to get the ball into the box and try to score rather than pass it on.

"I think that situation makes it more difficult for me to play to my strengths, like heading the ball into the net." he concluded.

We must mention that his words come after many angry statements from some team mates.

Chelsea can't beat Reading and tie 2-2

2006-12-27T12:46:00.000-08:00

Chelsea had a bad performance and helped Manchester United extend their lead at the top of the English Premiership to four points. Ferguson's team cruised to a 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford while Chelsea were held 2-2 by Reading at Stamford Bridge.

The "Blues" lost ground on the leaders after a real struggle against Reading. African striker Didier Drogba twice put Chelsea ahead but Leroy Lita and an own goal from Michael Essien gave Reading a share of the spoils and left Chelsea four points off the pace.

Michael Ballack had a regular performance, which was not enough to lift his team over the rival.

Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho admitted that the draw was probably a fair result.

“We did enough to get the triumph because we scored two goals and could have scored more — I can’t complain about my footballers.

“For instance, the match at Wigan was easy but we made it hard for ourselves. Yes, I had reason to be unhappy with them then. But today, no, because Reading made it really hard for us.”

Starting players to rest against Newcastle

2006-12-20T00:17:00.000-08:00

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho is likely to rest some of his more important footballers against Newcastle in the Carling Cup quarter-final on Tyneside on Wednesday night.

That's why Wayne Bridge, Paulo Ferreira and Shaun Wright-Phillips are all in with a chance of being included in the starting line-up.

But the Portuguese manager must check on the fitness of captain John Terry (back) before naming his side. Terry missed the game with Everton and if he remains unfit, Khalid Boulahrouz will continue to deputise.

Striker Joe Cole is out with a broken foot and Carlo Cudicini remains doubtful with a thigh problem.

Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder will make late checks on Nolberto Solano and Emre.

Peruvian talented wing Solano has missed the last two games with a groin problem, while Emre limped off during the 2-1 Barclays Premiership win over Watford at the weekend with an ankle injury.

What's more, Celestine Babayaro is suspended, and that means Damien Duff could once again be used at left-back provided he has suffered no reaction to his return from knee surgery.

DEspite those facts, Charles N'Zogbia is set to miss the entire holiday campaign with a medial ligament injury which has proved more serious than was first thought, while Michael Owen and Tim Krul (both knee), Shola Ameobi and Olivier Bernard (both hip), Craig Moore (hamstring), Titus Bramble (calf), Stephen Carr (foot) and Steve Harper (groin) remain on the sidelines.

Line ups:

Chelsea: Hilario, Hedman, Cudicini, Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Geremi, Carvalho, A Cole, Bridge, Essien, Ballack, Makelele, Lampard, Drogba, Shevchenko, Diarra, Wright-Phillips, Robben, Kalou.

Newcastle: Given, Srnicek, Solano, Taylor, Ramage, Huntington, Parker, Butt, Emre, Milner, Duff, Pattison, Troisi, Gate, Edgar, Martins, Dyer, Sibierski, Luque, Rossi, Carroll.

Chelsea is ready to face the match against Levski Sofia

2006-12-04T21:24:00.000-08:00

Chelsea is working hard this season to get as many titles as possible. And at least in the Champions League, they are in the right way.

In fact, the hard work has been accomplished so it is only natural that the "Blues" coach Jose Mourinho should be looking beyond Chelsea FC's final Group A fixture against PFC Levski Sofia and towards the knockout rounds that follow in the new year. Winning the section, he says, is not so important in terms of what opposition they will face in the last 16; rather it will guarantee that they stage the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

As we know, Ballack's team slipped six points behind Manchester United FC in their Premiership title defence as they were without a game at the weekend, and for this match they will make changes with skipper John Terry suspended. Claude Makelele will take a rest and Wayne Bridge will replace Ashley Cole at left-back. Mourinho added that he was sorry to see fourth-placed Levski bowing out of Europe altogether, because the campaign had provided valuable experience. "They would have done very well if they got through to the UEFA Cup and I hope to see them again very soon in the Champions League," he said.

Line ups:

Chelsea FC: Carlo Cudicini; Geremi, Ricardo Carvalho, Khalid Boulahrouz, Wayne Bridge; Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Joe Cole; Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko.

Levski: Bozhidar Mitrev; Zhivko Milanov, Elin Topuzakov, Igor Tomašić, Stanislav Angelov; Richard Eromoigbe, Daniel Borimirov, Cédric Bardon; Nikolay Dimitrov, Valeri Domovchiyski, Hristo Yovov.

Chelsea and Manchester United fought for a 1-1 draw

2006-11-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

This was a good point for Chelsea, one they are convinced will be a turning point in the title race. All draws are equal, but some are more equal than others.

Indeed, Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford by Mourinho's side on Sunday. United opened the scoring just before the half hour through Louis Saha, while Ricardo Carvalho equalised for the visitors on 69 minutes.

It was a game of two halves, United dominating the first 45 minutes while Chelsea took a deserved point by bossing the second period.

Michael Ballack played an important role in the midfield, covering the strikes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Giggs.

Ferguson's team created the first chance on two minutes, a Ryan Giggs free-kick whipped into the box from the right, Rooney rising with the header which looped over the bar.

Portuguese talent Cristiano Ronaldo forced a save from Carlo Cudicini on 18 minutes, hammering a free-kick over the wall from 30 yards, and it was United's early pressure that finally told on 29 minutes when Saha buried the ghosts of his injury-time Champions League penalty miss against Celtic midweek with a fine finish from the edge of the box after good work from Ronaldo and Rooney.

In fact, Chelsea's only real shot on target in the first half fell to Geremi, who cracked in a powerful shot from distance that forced Edwin Van de Sar to parry.

We must say that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho changed things around at half-time, taking right-back Geremi off for Arjen Robben, moving Michael Essien into defence.

And it was a good thing that his move paid dividends, in terms of possession and opportunity at least, with Chelsea dominating possession and United sitting back and hoping for counter attacks and even moving Rooney to a left-midfield position to try to stifle Robben.

It was United, however, who created the two best chances of the opening phase of the second part despite Chelsea's dominance, first on 48 minutes when Louis Saha mis-hit Rooney's cross to Ronaldo who could not quite reach the ball with the goal at their mercy.

Then the same players combined again, Gabriel Heinze's great left-wing cross chested down by Ronaldo at the far post but Chelsea defender John Terry doing just enough to put the Frenchman off.

Midfielder Frank Lampard had a vicious shot flash wide just before the hour and after two more chances to Drogba and Lampard again the Champions did eventually make their statistical advantage count in typical fashion ten minutes later, Lampard sending a corner to help Carvalho's header, the thumping finish going in off the bar via a helpless Saha on the far post.

Paul Scholes then went close with a drive that was deflected wide by team-mate Saha who was lying on the ground after he initially tried to shoot on goal, before Andriy Shevchenko - anonymous again - came off with 15 minutes remaining for Joe Cole.

Soon after Lampard sent a shot over after neat interplay with Robben, while Drogba credited himself by staying on his feet when nudged by Heinze in the box with 12 minutes left.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a late effort deflected wide, but the second half was Chelsea's as the first was United's, the 1-1 a fair result and Sir Alex Ferguson's men staying top three points clear of Chelsea Football Club.

"I am at my limit"

2006-11-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has told German newwspapers he is on the verge of struggling with his club's busy playing schedule. And we must consider that Germany take on Cyprus tonight in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

In fact, the former Bayern Munich player fears the lack of a winter break in England, but also said he came to London to prove himself.

"I am not on my reserves yet, but physically I am at my limit," Michael admitted. "We will see how it will go in the spring without a pause in the winter."

As we know, he did admitted he left Munich for a new challenge, but also because of the tougher schedule.

"I deliberately switched from the lighter match in Munich to prove myself," he added.

"I don't enjoy the same privileges here as I did in Germany. Great performances are important for us to play, but I'm glad I took the step."

"Mourinho convinced me to move to Chelsea"

2006-11-05T09:41:00.000-08:00

Chelsea FC player Michael Ballack has revealed how the personal effort from coach Jose Mourinho convinced the German to choose Stamford Bridge over the summer.

Indeed, Ballack told a local newspaper: "He sent me text messages, wishing me luck, and another message of congratulations each time we won.

"After our loss to Italy he told me we could be proud of the way we'd played. It definitely came across that he was the manager who wanted me most.

"I think he is not at all as I imagined after reading about him in the papers. Yes, he stands up for his team at all times, but he is not arrogant, he can be relaxed and very amusing. Most of all, I've noticed that he expresses exactly what he is thinking, he is very truthful like that and you always know where you stand with him. That's good. Unfortunately it's not normal in football."

"Pressure is on Barcelona and not on us"

2006-10-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

Michael Ballack feels really happy in Chelsea, and he says the pressure will be on FC Barcelona when the two powerful teams meet at Camp Nou in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

We must remember that Chelsea beat Ronaldinho's team with one goal netted by Drogba. "With nine points out of three matches, we have every chance of finishing top in this group," Ballack told to a news source. "Looking at the standings, Barcelona will have a tough time, because Bremen have also got four points.

"However, I believe that Barcelona are the favourites in their next two home encounters against Chelsea and Bremen particularly as they also lost against Real Madrid and have something to prove. As for us, we can wait and see. The pressure on us is much less as we beat Barcelona in the first leg. I'm sure that now the pressure is on them and it will be hard for them to reach the next round."

African star Didier Drogba scored the winner at Stamford Bridge on Matchday 3 and Ballack feels that result has given a "real boost" as the group stage reaches its climax. "Beating Barcelona was vital and has given our confidence a real boost, especially as we played such great football. I think we were highly concentrated and it was a great game to watch. Every season you have two or three very special matches and this one against the Spanish team was one of them. If you win such a crucial clash, the boost is huge."

It's good to mention that Michael Ballack scored his second Premiership goal since signing from FC Bayern München in Chelsea's 2-0 win against Sheffield United FC on Saturday, and the "Blues" are in great form as they chase their third straight crown.

Chelsea defeated Barcelona with an excellent Drogba

2006-10-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

In a really intense match, Didier Drogba's superb goal saw Chelsea defeat Barcelona to maintain The Blues' 100 percent start to Group A.

The great African striker Drogba's turn and shot from the edge of the area just seconds after the interval gave Jose Mourinho's squad a deserved 1-0 victory as the group rivals resumed hostilities at Stamford Bridge.

It's important to say that twenty-four hours earlier, José Mourinho had listed Drogba as a fitness concern, but he plus Ashley Cole and Claude Makelele were declared fit enough to start.

That meant all change at full-back from the Reading match with Khalid Boulahrouz moving across the right side and Ricardo Carvalho restored to the centre.

With Michael Ballack fit for the game as well, the diamond midfield was restored with Andriy Shevchenko and Drogba paired up front.

"From a pure sports point of view, it is a really good victory, not just the three points, but the way we got the three points," said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who dedicated the victory to Cech and Cudicini.

"I just feel sorry we could not kill the clash off before, because we had many, many chances to score the second goal. For the difference between the two sides tonight, I think 1-0 is short" he admitted.

German victory in international football match

2006-10-07T18:15:00.000-07:00

The German National team played another international friendly and the performance made fans happy. With two long-range goals, a 10-man Germany got a 2-0 win over Georgia on Saturday. Bastian Schweinsteiger slammed home a shot from 25 metres in the 24th minutes - having been set up captain Michael Ballack - to give Germany the lead.

A really ugly kick against Georgia defender Zurab Khizanishvili resulted in Lukas Podolski being sent off early in the second half.

However, we must notice that just 15 minutes later Georgia were also reduced to 10-men as Austrain referee Gerald Lehner dismissed Khizanishvili for a second bookable offence.

Bayern Munich's Schweinsteiger then returned the favour for Ballack, finding his captain open on the left for a 22-metre blast to double their lead.

More often than not Germany looked comfortable but struggled in defence at times and were lucky that Georgia had two goals disallowed for offside.

"It was an entertaining match but we naturally made a number of mistakes," said Loew, who fielded two young newcomers in his team - Piotr Trochowski of Hamburg SV and Werder Bremen's Clemens Fritz - and a total of seven second-string players.

Loew rested regulars plaeyrs Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm, Bernd Schneider, Torsten Frings and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann for the Slovakia match while defenders Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder were left out of the squad due to injuries.

"We had to integrate a lot of younger players going into their first match and had some problems in coordination," Loew said.

"In fact, we wanted to give some people a chance to show what they can do. We were a bit lucky that we kept a clean sheet."

Right after Schweinsteiger's goal, Germany shifted down a gear and were lucky that Otar Martsvaladze's header from a free kick in first-half stoppage time was disallowed in a close offside call. And Germany came back to life only after Podolski was sent off.

"I believe that we played well against a very good Germany team," said Georgia's German coach Klaus Toppmoeller.

"We're moving in the right direction. We wanted to show we can compete with the best squads and I think we accomplished that." he concluded with a smile.

Ballack wants the glory in the Champions League

2006-09-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

The most important German player made a Bosman free transfer move to Stamford Bridge this summer, citing a desire to win trophies as the reason behind his exit from Bayern Munich.

In the other hand, Chelsea have twice come unstuck at Europe's top table under Jose Mourinho, being beaten by eventual winners Liverpool and Barcelona in the last two seasons.

So, we can say that the Premiership is a primary objective for many, but Ballack is eyeing glory on the European front.

"If I didn't think Chelsea were strong enough to win the Champions League, I wouldn't have moved here," said Ballack. "But it will be very difficult for us and it is far too soon to say we're going to reach the final.

"The ambition to get the Champions League title is certainly here but we know it will not be so easy.

"I think that in the last few years, Chelsea have reached the semi-finals and the last 16 and gone out of the competition.

"We have seen that there are some new players at Chelsea this time but it's not about two or three signings. It is about everyone delivering together.

"Even if you have a good group of players, this doesn't guarantee things will click and you will automatically have success.

"We are not the only club to have strengthened our squad.

"Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan - to name just a few - are all better this year."

Ballack showed his class with a commanding display in Saturday's win over Charlton and he is targeting midfielder Frank Lampard's role as Chelsea's penalty taker after the England man fluffed his lines.

"Maybe I will take the next penalty because Frank didn't make it. Maybe we will take turns," Ballack concluded.

Germany crushed San Marino 13-0

2006-09-07T01:38:00.000-07:00

Records fell as Germany football team romped to a 13-0 triumph over weak San Marino, who suffered the biggest defeat in European Championship history at the hands of Joachim Low’s side in Serravalle.

The game was a procession from start to finish as Lukas Podolski grabbed four goals and second-half substitute Thomas Hitzlsperger helped himself to two to condemn the Group D minnows to a humiliating defeat.

Bayern Munich player Bastian Schweinsteiger (two), World Cup golden shoe winner Miroslav Klose (two), Michael Ballack, Manuel Friedrich and Bernd Schneider all joined them on the scoresheet as the Germans queued up to try and break their previous record win of 16-0 against Russia over 90 years ago.

In fact, it took just 10 minutes for the much-anticipated avalanche of goals to begin with Bayern Munich striker Podolski the first to get his name on the scoresheet.

The talented Podolski, voted as the best young player at the World Cup this summer, grabbed the first heading home Schneider’s right-wing cross before Schweinsteiger followed up after 27 minutes by turning in a pass from Borussia Monchengladbach youngster Marcell Jansen.

Podolski snared his second to make it 5-0 just before half time with Schneider once again setting up a shooting chance with some good work on the flank.

San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini had a torrid time for the home side, failing to keep a hungry German side at bay despite good saves from Klose, Schneider and Torsten Frings while the score was still 1-0.

Klose, who struck five times in the World Cup, did not want to miss out on what were becoming easy pickings and chipped in with two first-half efforts.

Simoncini offered him significant help with one, spilling the ball at his feet to allow him a free run on goal and he also chipped in with a neat finish from 12 yards.

Captain Ballack, substituted early in the second period along with Klose as Low gave run-outs to Gerald Asamoah and Odonkor, was also on target.

There was no let-up from the Germans and the second period was less than two minutes old when Schweinsteiger kept the scoreboard moving, finding the top-right corner from 20 yards with a blistering effort.

Podolski’s third and fourth goals became an inevitability as the striker continued to take up good positions in an increasingly porous back-line tucking the ball goalwards on two occasions following neat interplay with Odonkor and Schweinsteiger.

Hitzlsperger then put in a thrilling cameo of as he added two in six minutes.

His first – both of the day and for Germany – came after only three minutes on the pitch and flew into the bottom corner as he volleyed a loose ball past the hapless Simoncini.

The Stuttgart midfielder then doubled his international tally with a vicious, curling effort six minutes later, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Friedrich headed home the 12th three minutes from time from another Schneider cross to give Germany their biggest win in the competition and record the largest away win in European Championship history but they already had designs on the overall record.

That came in stoppage time when Schneider shot the ball high to the right-hand corner from the penalty spot to cap a fine night’s work for the powerful Germans.

Ballack admits pressure

2006-08-29T23:40:00.000-07:00

Michael Ballack had his official debut against Blackburn. And after the victory, he has admitted Chelsea are already feeling the pressure of Manchester United’s winning start to the Premiership season.

The talented player, a summer signing from Bayern Munich, confessed last week’s defeat at Middlesbrough and United’s maximum haul of nine points from nine affected the champions’ first-half performance during Sunday’s journey to Blackburn.

As we said, Ballack made his Premiership debut in the game, which Chelsea went on to win 2-0.

“It was a very important triumph for us because before the game we had only three points and United had nine,” Ballack said in a local newspaper.

“Yes, maybe we were a little nervous because we had lost the previous match and United won on Saturday.

“As a result, we made too many mistakes in the first half. But then we improved and we made enough chances to get the victory.”

Chelsea crushed Manchester City without Ballack

2006-08-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

Michael Ballack was present at the stadium but he couldn't take part of Chelsea's win over a weak Manchester City by 3-0. An injury left the German captain out of the match.

However, it's good to say that the game was really good for the blues. Indeed, Drogba and Lampard were appreciably improved, but plaudits went to Wayne Bridge who was absolutely excellent. He has a cult status amongst many fans, and this first encounter of the season saw the former Southampton man play like his place depended on it. His performance could scarcely have been bettered by left back Ashley Cole in his prime for Arsenal or England, with neat touches, composure on the ball, intelligent positioning, and some marauding, but nonetheless well-timed runs down the left. His assist for Drogba's dramatic diving header to put Mourinho's side out of sight at 3-0 was particularly telling. Granted, this season Bridge will face far more potent threats than the paucity of offerings that Manchester City cobbled together yesterday, but defensively he coped well. It would not be churlish to suggest that he seems to have taken a long look at Paulo Ferreira's quiet, efficient, effective mastery of his full-back berthing, and there does seem to be a new composure and assuredness to Bridge's calmness and awareness. Anbody who suggests that a certain Arsenal and England full-back will be a guaranteed starter either at Stamford Bridge, as he is surely destined for, or for his country, may, on this display at least, be in for a surprise.

We can say that Chelsea's first goal, like Bridge's performance, had England stamped all over it, as the similarities with England's first goal against Greece national team were not lost on the Stamford Bridge faithful. As with midweek, a peach of a cross, and John Terry rose imperiously to crash the header past a stranded Nicky Weaver in the City goal. Taking advantage of a small but crucial deflection wrongfooting Weaver once more, the smart Lampard carried on the England theme with a twenty yard drive that nestled in the corner and gave Chelsea an unassailable lead.

If Chelsea's initial brace was England class, their third had more of a Brazilian flavour, with a sumptuous cross from Wayne Bridge for Drogba, who had worked hard for little reward up to that point, to place a thunderbolt diving header for 3-0. Such Shevchenko-esque devastating finishing and honest endeavour from Drogba has not always been obvious in the past, but as with dutch striker Arjen Robben, there appears to have been a metaphorical pulling up of one's socks. Robben was also much-improved, with a workrate to game his obvious talents going forward that must have raised a few eyebrows. How Mourinho and the rest of Chelsea faithful must wish for a similar uplift for Shaun Wright-Phillips, who was decent enough yesterday, did not make any mistakes, and looked more like the threat of a threat. His time will come soon enough.

In the past, a great many column inches have ruminated on 'Chelsea, spurred on from the midfield with another dynamic display of midfield mastery of...' and the contribution of Frank Lampard, but yesterday saw a slightly altered piece of prose. After what can only be described as a colossal World Cup, Michael Essien has returned from Germany with fire in his belly, and his equally colossal midfield performance eclipsed even the amazing Frank Lampard who was by no means pedestrian. Tireless running, power, and raw aggression box to box were the watchwords, and Essien can consider himself unlucky not to have scored for Chelsea with a swerving 25 yard volley flew tantalisingly wide. Indeed, such was the angry industry of the Ghanaian, that were it not for a bizarre booking for pulling the petulant Bernardo Corradi's hair in an ugly exchange that saw the Italian dismissed on a nightmare debut for a second yellow card, that he would surely have got man-of-the-match. Jose Mourinho was distinctly unamused by the 'stupidity' of Essien's moment of madness in the middle, and all deserved plaudits aside, Essien must consider himself lucky not to have been sent off. His youthful exuberance will serve as an excuse only so far, and he will surely have to stamp out the daft bookings if he is to maintain his youthful progress at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester City clearly came to Stamford Bridge with a plan to restrict Chelsea. Despite those efforts, Terry's early goal opened the game up, and in truth Stuart Pearce's side never looked like getting back into it, with some inventive play from Trevor Sinclair coming to precious little, and Corradi's sending-off completely snuffing out any hope of an unlikely point. Better teams than Pearce's side will come to Stamford Bridge and get more than a three goal hiding if Chelsea keep on improving, and it is unlikely that Pearce will be worrying too much about this game and on workrate alone it is likely that Pearce will not have to worry too much about a relegation battle come May next year.

In the end we can say that it was another brutally-efficient Chelsea performance, evocative of their Title-winning tilts of seasons past. Same Chelsea, same efficiency, same emphatic three points, but some different faces and some new stars in the squad.

Ballack will miss the first match against Manchester City

2006-08-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

According to the latest reports. Michael Ballack is unlikely to make his Premier League debut on Sunday in the match between Chelsea ahd Manchester City as he has failed to recover from a hip injury. Jose Mourinho noticed that on Friday.

In fact, Ballack, who joined the English champions on a free transfer in May, picked up a hip injury during the 2-1 Community Shield defeat by FC Liverpool last week.

"I really think that Michael will not be fit to play," Mourinho announced. "I know his improvement since last Sunday has been very small and has not trained with the team.

"And he trained on his own on Thursday so I really don't believe he can fit unless he improves a lot.

"The objective from the beginning was to play Ballack and (Frank) Lampard together but I must confess that we have not had many chances to work on it."

It's good to mention that Mourinho said his side were not ready for the start of the season as their preparations have been hit by the World Cup.

Sad debut for Ballack

2006-08-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

Chelsea is on America in order to have some pre-season games. And they lost 1-0 to a Major League Soccer Allstars side in Chicago on Saturday.

It was a expected debut for new signings Michael Ballack of Germany and Ukraine's Andriy Shevchenko. However, it was one of the London club's established stars, Frank Lampard, who nearly put them ahead in the first half with a curling freekick which was well saved by goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

We must remember that defender Chris Albright had a great chance to put the hosts into the lead when he outpaced defender Wayne Bridge but put his left foot shot wide of Carlo Cudicini's goal.

And in the second half only alert defending by Eddie Robinson kept the Allstars in the game, sprinting back to clear after Facundo Erpen managed to knock the ball through his own goalkeeper's legs towards the only goal.

In the end, MLS coach Peter Nowak brought on young star Freddy Adu, rumoured to be a transfer target for both Chelsea and rivals Manchester United, but it was Dwayne Rosario who got the winner, controlling neatly before whipping a fierce shot past substitute goalkeeper Henrique Hilario to delight most of the 21,000 fans in the stadium.

Ballack takes Gallas' shirt number

2006-08-04T15:31:00.000-07:00

An interesting dispute is brewing at Chelsea after Jose Mourinho gained revenge on the wayward defender William Gallas by taking away his lucky No 13 shirt and giving it to Michael Ballack instead.

Indeed, Gallas, who incurred the wrath of Mourinho by failing to turn up for Chelsea's pre-season training camp here, had expected an £80,000 fine for his misdemeanour, which his agent still describes as a "misunderstanding ". However, rather like a cheating husband who opens his wardrobe to find his suits and ties cut into pieces, Gallas had a shock when he sat down to watch television last night. What he saw was a beaming Michael Ballack holding up his new Chelsea shirt, with Gallas' own No 13 printed on the back.

We must remember that the number is special to the Frenchman because he has worn it ever since arriving in London from Marseilles in May 2001.

Anyone tempted to think it was all a coincidence was quickly convinced otherwise by Ballack's own comments on the subject. "Initially, I wanted 13 and I was sad because it had already been taken," said the German midfielder, who wore No 13 for Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. " I had accepted No 19, but two days ago the coach came and said, 'OK, it's fine for you to have the 13 after all'."

That change of heart coincided with Gallas' failure to turn up in America and his agent, Pierre Frelot, is not impressed. He said: "It is not possible for them to give Ballack the No 13 shirt without talking to William first. William has been wearing that number for five years and it is the shirt he expects to be in. As far as we are concerned William's absence is still a misunderstanding. I am very surprised they haven't waited to hear the explanation of the player first before taking action against him."

Michael Ballack has spoken of the potential of his midfield partnership with Frank Lampard after three training sessions together, even though critics say their styles are similar. He said: "We haven't talked about our compatibility, we only met two days ago, but in every training session we're closer in terms of tactics."

Magath talks about Ballack's move to Chelsea

2006-07-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

The most important transfer of the season was not the best news for him, but there is a good side. Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath feels that Michael Ballack leaving Bavaria to go to the English football will work in the club's favour.

As we all know, the Germany captain joined Bayern in 2002 from Bayer Leverkusen and has helped the German giants claim three Bundesliga titles in his time at the cteam, while he has also developed into Germany's best soccer player during the same period.

And then Ballack completed a move to English Premiership champions FC Chelsea after his contract in Bavaria ran out this summer, which has left a huge void in Bayern's midfield to fill.

According to rumours, Magath is still looking at the best way forward without the attacking midfielder but feels that the rest of the team will now raise their game, making them a better side than before.

"I admit that if a player like him leaves, then it is a loss. But new options have opened up, and that's good" he noticed.

New coaches suggested by Ballack

2006-07-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

Local teams' coaches Juergen Klopp and Thomas Doll have been suggested by Michael Ballack as possible successors of Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann.

In a very interesting statement, Ballack mentioned the names in a column for Stern magazine, to be published on Thursday, before Klinsmann's post-World Cup retirement was confirmed by the ruling body DFB in the early hours of Wednesday.

"Coaches like Juergen Klopp and Thomas Doll could do the job," the popular midfielder said.

We must mention that Doll led SV Hamburg to third place in the Bundesliga last season, while Klopp is a popular coach at Mainz 05 and also got lots of attention as a World Cup analyst for ZDF television.

In fact, the DFB has announced a news conference for later Wednesday at its Frankfurt headquarters in which a possible successor could be presented. The stronger candidate appears to be Klinsmann's assistant Joachim Loew.

However, it was not known whether Klinsmann will remain involved in one way or another in the national squad affairs.

It's important to mention that Klinsmann told DFB co-president Theo Zwanziger on Tuesday that he will not continue despite a national euphoria around himself and the team at the World Cup which Germany finished in third place on Saturday.

Indeed, Klinsmann, 41, reportedly cited family reasons (he resides in California) and also allegedly told Zwanziger that he had not forgotten the massive pre-World Cup criticism on his training methods and the changes he enforced within the DFB structures.

Ballack admitted that he was cautious as well when Klinsmann started the job in 2004 after Germany's winless Euro 2004 exit.

"I am not thrilled simply because something is new. I was a bit hesitant, maybe even sceptical, for instance concerning training methods," Ballack wrote in the colum.

But the Chelsea midfielder Ballack, 29, was among those who wanted the coach to go on because the World Cup showed that "Juergen Klinsmann was right".

In fact, Ballack said that Klinsmann's philosophy of attacking football must "definitely" be continued, a view seemingly shared by the entire German football community.

"Whoever takes over the job from Juergen Klinsmann must continue in the same way," DFB co-president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder announced.

Ballack's thoughts after the World Cup

2006-07-11T22:09:00.000-07:00

The World Cup is over, but in Michael Ballack's head, the sad memories of the defeat against Italy are still present. And he fears his chance of lifting the World Cup disappeared when his side were beaten in the semi-finals.

According to Ballack, Germany reached the last four but it is unlikely he will be able to lead his country in South Africa in 2010.

"I will be almost 34 and at that age there is no guarantee I will be there," Ballack expressed with a sad look in his eyes. "I was aware that this could be my last chance to be a world champion."

The German midfielder, who has won 70 caps, skippered the Germans to the final of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea but was suspended and had to watch from the sidelines as they lost 2-0 against Ronaldo's Brazil.

And Ballack played a significant part in Germany's run to this year's semi-finals before they were edged out by the Italians in extra-time.

Germany then triumphed in the third-place play-off with a 3-1 victory over Portugal.

However, he says he will make up for disappointment at missing out on football's biggest prize by turning his attention to bringing Champions League success to Chelsea.

"It is great that I have a new challenge after the World Cup," said Ballack.

"After this highlight I do not have the routine at Bayern Munich but a new motivation. I want to win the Champions League at Chelsea.

"As usual, I will go to Italy on holiday and on July 30 I start with Chelsea."

Ballack thinks Italy deserved win over Germany

2006-07-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

After his saddest night, Michael Ballack was quick to admit that Italy had deserved the World Cup semi-final win that eliminated Germany.

Indeed, Italy defeated the hosts 2-0 in Dortmund thanks to a 119th-minute strike from Fabio Grosso and an Alessandro Del Piero goal in the final minute of extra-time, just seconds away from the penalty shootouts.

This defeat was particularly tough for Ballack to take, as he missed the 2002 final against Brazil because of a suspension.

"I'm sure that it just is not meant to be for me," said the Chelsea player.

"It is really bitter for us to get eliminated like this, one minute from time. It is bitter but not undeserved. We started out rather slowly, even though we did a much better job in the second half."

"I think that the match was well-balanced. The Italians had the better chances in extra-time as they hit woodwork twice. But we also had some good opportunities afterwards, with the lastheader."

Ballack and Klose ready to make history against Italy in the semifinals

2006-07-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Host team Germany will face Italy today in one of the semifinals of the World Cup, with Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose - their two best players - ready for the battle.

We must mention that Italy and Germany have met 28 times before with the "Azurri" holding a 13 -7 advantage in wins, and with Germany not having beaten Italy since a friendly in Zurich in 1995 when they won 2-0 and Italy having been the most recent victors in a 4-1 drubbing in March.

In fact, the scandals back in Italy are a strange omen as the last time the side lifted the trophy there were similar problems with the domestic tournament. The 1982 World Cup saw the Azzuri prevail and it was the Germans whom they defeated 3-1 in the final.

The press were calling for the resignation of head coach Jürgen Klinsmann after the game, but since that defeat Germany have been on excellent form with five consecutive wins - a new record for Germany at an individual final - and the squad will be out to erase the memory of that defeat.

“We just lost several times to Italy over the years and have a score to settle,” said Torsten Frings - who is suspended for the match following a brawl after the penalty shoot-out with Argentina.

And coach Klinsmann think that now is the time for his team to excel, saying: ‘The team has grown over the last six weeks and it is a team which is saying they can be world champions once again: “We have taken a giant step but there are two more to take to reach our target” he said.

The Bavarian team have no injury worries after captain Michael Ballack and top scorer Miroslav Klose are now fit after shrugging off minor injuries, but will be without Frings through his suspension.

In the other hand, Italy are likely to be without defender Alessandro Nesta, who also missed the last match, after failing to recover from a groin strain.

These are the line-ups:

Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Schneider, Borowski, Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Klose

Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Materazzi, Cannavaro, Grosso, Perrotta, Gattuso, Pirlo, Totti, Toni, Gilardino

Ballack is fit to battle against Argentina

2006-06-28T23:42:00.000-07:00

Germany will face Argentina in an extremely important derby and the local fans are worried about their captain. But Michael Ballack has recovered from a minor foot injury and is fit to play in the World Cup quarter-final match, according to coach Juergen Klinsmann.

It's important to mention that Ballack missed training on Sunday morning because of the minor knock and the team's next scheduled training session is not until Tuesday.

"I'm glad to announce that it's all healed. He's perfectly fit," Klinsmann told a news conference.

"Michael Ballack is of great importance to this group," Klinsmann added. "He reads the game well and is prepared to sacrifice himself. He has a key role."

In fact, the captain was forced to sit out Germany's opening 4-2 win over Costa Rica because of a calf injury. Since his return to the midfield, Germany have not conceded a goal in the wins against Poland 1-0, Ecuador 3-0 and Sweden 2-0.

German team win their group in the World Cup

2006-06-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

Showing a very good performance, Miroslav Klose scored twice in the first half Tuesday as an increasingly impressive German team defeated Ecuador, 3-0, to finish undefeated in the Group A of the World Cup.

Indeed, the German side, playing in front of a loudly partisan crowd of 72,000 at the Olympiastadion, won their group and advanced to the single-elimination Round of 16. We must mention that Germany will play Sweden in Munich on Saturday. In the other hand, Ecuador, which like Germany had already earned a spot in the next round, will play England on Sunday.

Michael Ballack and Klose were the best players on the field. Germany crushed a very poor Ecuatorian team, that didn't make the same football that gave them victories over Costa Rica and Poland.

As for Germany, they have won their three first-round matches included a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica and a 1-0 victory over Poland. The triumphs served as vindication for Coach Jürgen Klinsmann, whose tactics and preparation were widely criticized in Germany in the year leading up to the World Cup.

Ballack insists he was fit for the First game

2006-06-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

Michael Ballack expressed Tuesday that he had no regret to say he's available before the World Cup opener. His words led to suspicions on disputes between him and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

"I do not regret saying I was fit," Ballack said in a press conference before departing to Dortmund for their Group A match against Poland.

"Why should I lie? If people asked how I felt, why shouldn't I give an honest answer?" he continued.

Indeed, the talented midfielder insisted he had recovered from a niggling calf injury and declared himself fit to play ahead of Friday's match, but Klinsmann thought otherwise and decided against starting with Ballack.

"It's true, I thought I was fit, but he felt it was too risky and took the decision, together with the doctor, and I couldn't influence it. I resigned myself to my fate and I had to accept their decision."

Obviuosly, after missing Germany's 4-2 win against Costa Rica on Friday due to "injury", Ballack is anxious to rejoin the national squad.

"I'm sure for any player, the worse thing is to miss out through injury. Now I'm just happy to be playing my part," he finished.

Ballack angry with the team performance

2006-06-01T23:33:00.000-07:00

Ballack played in the last game, but he is unhappy with Germany's display in the 2-2 draw with Japan.

In fact, the local team were forced to hit back from two goals down to salvage a face-saving draw, and Ballack was unimpressed with Klinsmann's tactics for the encounter.

"Coach Jurgen Klinsmann has formulated a very young squad in the last two years and we are always making the same mistakes and we have the same problems in defence," Ballack expressed in the build-up to Friday's friendly with Colombia.

"We count with a very, very attacking style as we showed against Japan but we are losing too much possession.

"Facing nations which will be very well prepared for the World Cup, like Costa Rica, Ecuador and Poland (Germany's Group A opponents), we should be concentrating on our defence line.

"The coach knows what I think as well as what other players think. We have already spoken about this issue. However, it's up to him to make the final decisions.

We don't need to talk every day. He's the trainer and sets up the system that he wants us to play.

"By and large we're in agreement. On some points we have different points of view. If every player expressed their opinions aloud all the time we'd be in chaos."

Germany crushes Luxembourg

2006-05-29T00:19:00.000-07:00

World Cup host got over the absence of Michael Ballack and crush Luxembourg 7-0 in Freiburg on Saturday as part of their preparations.

Strikers Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Oliver Neuville all grabbed a couple of goals to raise the feel-good factor in Jurgen Klinsmann's Germany team.

The captain Michael Ballack missed the friendly, still nursing a strained ankle from Thursday's workout against Servette Geneva's under-18s.

But there were some more bad news with an ankle injury to Robert Huth. The Chelsea defender was replaced at half-time by Per Mertesacker.

He moved to Chelsea to win the Champions League

2006-05-21T23:40:00.000-07:00

Michael Ballack decided to move away from Munich, to land in Chelsea. And he is planning to stay there for a very long time. Maybe until his final days as a football player.

"I really hope things work out well and that we’re successful in the next three years and the possibility will exist to extend that deal.

"Yes, you could say that is my vision at the moment, to end my career at Chelsea."

The Germany captain makes no secret of the fact that he has come to west London in a bid to get the Champions League title.

However, he admits that even Roman Abramovich’s billions are not enough to guarantee the team can triumph in the competition won by Barcelona last week.

Ballack admitted: "The Champions League is my objective but there are no guarantees of winning anything. You can buy as many great players as you want but there are no guarantees."

"Perfect conditions exist at Chelsea FC but I was a Champions League runner-up at Bayer Leverkusen when I moved to Bayern Munich to join a fantastic squad, with Ze Roberto and Sebastian Deisler at the top of his game.

"Some fans said it was the German team of the century but we were eliminated in the first round."

Mourinho is happy with Ballack's move to Chelsea

2006-05-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho welcomed the arrival of Michael Ballack to his team on Sunday and indicated the champions were trying hard to sign Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Speaking from an open-topped bus as it snaked its way through west London, Mourinho told Chelsea TV: "He (Ballack) believes in us, he believes in Chelsea, he believes he can have success.

"He believes in the Champions League, he wants three, four years' success for him in a crucial time of his career." "He had a lot of other chances as you can imagine. He decided to come to Chelsea and I think we are very happy and I think also English football should be happy to have such a player playing in the Premiership."

In fact, the English champions are planning to present the 29-year-old playmaker, who helped Bayern Munich get a second successive German league and Cup double, at a news conference on Monday.

It important to mention that Bayern's fans, disappointed with Ballack's decision to leave, jeered him at his last game for the side on Saturday.

The German midfielder will be fighting for a place in a strong midfield that includes Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele of France and tough Ghana international Michael Essien.

Bayern got the Title

2006-05-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

Bayern Munich celebrated the Bundesliga Title, but fans jeered Michael Ballack on this final day. In another game, Werder Bremen finished second and Kaiserslautern were relegated.

Michael Ballack, expected to join Chelsea in the summer, was not given a hero's send-off during Bayern's 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the last round of fixtures this season.

As we said, Bayern's fans celebrated their title success but gave the bird to Ballack in a pulsating match.

In fact, Dortmund took an early lead through Jan Koller but strikes from Roy Makaay, Bastian Schweingsteiger and Ballack put the hosts in charge.

However, David Degen and Koller retrieved a point for the visitors. This title is one of the most important ones in Bayern history.

Bayern Munich got the German Cup

2006-04-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

This title means a lot to players and fans. Bayern Munich avoided a potential upset Saturday by defeating a strong Eintracht Frankfurt squad 1-0 to retain the DFB Cup. This achievement puts Bayern on course for an historic league and cup double.

Considering their superiority in the local League, Michael Ballack,'s team could have been expected to take Eintracht Frankfurt apart in the DFB Cup final in Berlin on Saturday evening. The best hopes of Frankfurt, the club 36 points behind the league leaders, at the kick-off could well have been to keep the goal tally to a respectable level.

Bayern, the favorites to begin their historic push to become the first ever German squad to complete back-toback league and cup doubles, looked sluggish as Frankfurt began the game with relish. In fact, while the underdogs attacked crisply, Munich played sloppy balls and lost possession in such a nonchalant way that it seemed that the dull procession to another league title may have atrophied their desire.

Bayern Munich got their best moment at 30 minutes to go when Ze Roberto floated over a corner to the far post where Pizarro was lurking. Frankfurt's Patrick Ochs missed his header and the Peruvian hit-man stooped to give Bayern the lead.

Ballack and his teammates could complete the historic double "Double" on Wednesday night when they entertain Stuttgart, if Hamburg slip up against second-from-bottom team Cologne the night before.

Closer to the Blue Color

2006-04-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

Bayern best player Michael Ballack is continuing talks about signing for English club Chelsea, with the aim of reaching an agreement before the World Cup, according to Chelsea Chief Executive Peter Kenyon.

According to the reports, Ballack is out of contract at the end of the season and has said he is in ``serious talks'' with the London institution.

"Talks are still continuing," Kenyon admitted. "We're getting to the stage where we all feel it's going to happen and hopefully before the World Cup in Germany."

In fact, Chelsea is prepared to pay Michael Ballack 121,000 pounds ($216,000) a week, the highest salary in football, the Daily Mail reported last month. The Blues has spent more than 300 million dollars on players since Abramovich bought the team in 2003.

We must remember that Chelsea can clinch its second straight title by drawing at home to Manchester United on April 29.

Chelsea is the first option

2006-04-12T23:44:00.000-07:00

His future has motivated a lot of speculation in the last months. Now Michael Ballack is in advanced negotiations to play for Chelsea FC, according to his agent Michael Becker.

He disagrees with Uli Hoeness, who said that Ballack was primarily interested in money. Becker told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that Bayern actually treated the player unfairly in their talks to extend his contract.

"I can tell that cash is not the issue in the price category that Michael is in. He will be making a decision based on sporting considerations. We are in serious negotiations wiht Chelsea."

The midfielders's contract at Bayern Munich endsthis season. The midfielder has rejected a reported offer of 36 million euros to sign a new deal with the German champions.

Bayern Munich is defeated and Hamburg wins

2006-04-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

Bayern Munich was demolished 3-0 on their travels to third-placed Werder Bremen. The red team had a really bad performance, and the 2-0 victory of Hamburg over Borussia Moenchengladbach reduced the lead to four points.

Aware of the poor level they showed, Michael Ballack said the situation was "dangerous" and his team would do well not to rely on their current cushion. "Nothing's gone wrong so far, but we know we're not in great form at the moment. We have to keep our cool, but we mustn't be over-confident. Our difference is slowly melting away, so we need to perform for the remainder of the season, and then we'll basically be safe and dry."

However, Magath detected "an improvement" compared to recent matches, and felt his side were in good enough shape to negotiate their remaining fixtures, at home to Bielefeld, Stuttgart and Dortmund, and away to Mainz and Kaiserslautern. "Our fate is in our own hands. I don't think we'll throw it away now," the manager declared.

Bayern Munich face Cologne

2006-04-01T03:30:00.000-08:00

Bayern Munich host Cologne on Saturday, and they expect to have Michael Ballack back after a small injury. The red team hold a nine-point lead with seven games to play and can take another big stride towards a 20th league title this weekend, with second-placed Hamburg SV facing a tough game away to Schalke 04 on Sunday.

With the title looking a formality, attention in Germany is now focused on who Bayern will sign to replace Michael Ballack, in case he moves to another club.

Ballack will be back on the field after his recovery from a groin injury. Oliver Kahn should also be fit after being forced off 12 minutes into last weekend's 3-1 win over Duisburg.

With Bayern Munich so far ahead, the best Hamburg, Werder Bremen and Schalke appear to be struggling for is second place and direct place for the Champions League.

Ballack scores twice in Bayern's Victory

2006-02-27T15:16:00.000-08:00

After a sad Champions League home draw against AC Milan, Bayern Munich got their smile back by crushing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-2 on Saturday.

Michael Ballack and Peruvian forward Paolo Guerrero scored two each while Claudio Pizarro added a fifth five minutes from time to hand Bayern their 11th successive Bundesliga home win at their Allianz Arena this season.

In fact, Bayern lead the standings with 58 points from 23 matches. Werder Bremen, who beat Juventus 3-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday, moved into second place, nine points behind Bayern, with a 2-0 home win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.

"This was the kind of reaction we needed," said Bayern coach Felix Magath, still angered by Tuesday's 1-1 draw with AC Milan when a second half penalty after a controversial handball gave the Italians a valuable away goal in the knockout round clash.

"We moved the ball forward and got some goals," added Magath, pleased by his team's best league performance this season. "It's great. I'm delighted to see us scoring like that. The home crowd deserved to see a few goals here too."

Magath was surprisingly unperturbed by the two goals conceded to 12th placed Frankfurt, who lost their third straight match. Bayern's reserve keeper Michael Rensing again filled in for injured captain Oliver Kahn, who missed the Milan match.

"We were a little careless at times in defence but that's allowable after a week like we've just had," Magath admitted.

Paolo Guerrero, in the starting lineup for Roy Makaay, scored two first-half goals while Ballack, giving another strong performance while wearing the captain's armband as deuputy for Kahn, scored in the 33rd and 62nd minutes.

"Roy needed a break," said Magath. "Guerrero deserved a chance to play. He had a first-class performance and showed that we can put him in any time. He really caught our eye today."

Frankfurt's Christoph Preuss beat Sebastian Deisler and Willy Sagnol in front of the goal in the 32nd minute to equalise but they less than a minute later Ballack found an opening on the right to put Bayern ahead again for good.

Ballack's 11th and 12th league goals this season capped an outstanding week after he scored Bayern's late goal in the 1-1 draw at Hanover last week and a stunning half-volley in the draw with Milan, his first goal in the Champions League this term.

"It was very hard to concentrate on the Bundesliga after the Champions League but the team nevertheless brought a great attitude in here and we played very aggressively," said Ballack.

"Everything's going great at the moment," he added. "We've kept our cushion at the top of the table and want to advance to the next round in the Champions League."

Frankfurt's Alexander Meier cut Bayern's lead to 4-2 in the 84th minute before Pizarro responded a minute later.

Bayern Munich ready to beat AC Milan

2006-02-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

It's time for the Champions League round of 16. Michael Ballack is confirmed in the line-up of Bayern Munich against AC Milan in the Allianz Arena Stadium. The game will start at 7.45.

AC Milan tonight will try to stop the reigning German champions and league leaders Bayern Munich at their impressive Allianz Arena in Munich in the first leg of their Champions League second round tie.

Ballack goal saves Bayern Munich

2006-02-21T10:16:00.000-08:00

Michael Ballack got a last-minute goal and saved Bayern Munich from a sad defeat. The match against Hannover 96 in the Bundesliga ended 1-1 on Saturday.

Is important to say that fifth-place Hannover, unbeaten in 11 matches, took a 1-0 lead on Thomas Brdaric's 56th-minute goal in front of 49,500 spectators.

However, a precise cross by Willy Sagnol to Michael Ballack, who headed in over two defenders, ensured Bayern's unbeaten streak moved to 15 matches.

"I would have been happy beforehand with a 1-1, but not looking at the whole game and when we are ahead 1-0 that late," Hannover coach Peter Neururer said. "But we learned firsthand why Ballack is the most dangerous midfielder in Europe."

Bayern lost goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in the 51st minute when he bruised his thigh in a challenge on Brdaric. He is listed as doubtful for Tuesday's Champions League match against AC Milan.

"I'll have to do everything I can to make sure that I can take the pitch pain-free," Kahn said.

Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin tied 0 - 0

2006-02-07T22:11:00.000-08:00

Michael Ballack performed good, but the hero was Oliver Kahn, who stopped hard shots by the fifth-placed club's Yildiray Basturk and Arne Friedrich. Bayern Munich couldn't break the deadlock and tied 0 - 0 with Hertha Berlin.

Bayern didn't have a good chance after the break in front of 74,000 at Berlin's Olympiastadion. A weak header by Paolo Guerrero was the side's first second-half attempt on goal.

"If we had any luck we would have got the three points," said Berlin coach Falko Goetz. "Of course they had an outstanding Ollie Kahn."

Bayern Munich took control of the match during the first 45 minutes, with Michael Ballack going close when he chested a pass, then volleyed over the crossbar. After the half, the squad came out flat.

"We certainly didn't have a good day. We weren't really concentrated," coach Felix Magath said. "We'll have to be satisfied with the draw."

The draw gave Werder Bremen, nine points back, and Hamburger SV, 10 behind, a hope to close the gap on the runaway leader if they can win on Wednesday.

In other games, FC Kaiserslautern and FC Cologne drew 2-2 in a battle of the bottom teams, while Dortmund beat Duisburg 2-0, and Mainz and Bielefeld finished 1-1.

Uncertain future with Bayern?

2006-01-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

Michael Ballack’s future at his club, Bayern Munich, is in doubt again after the institution revealed they may offer the midfielder a more modest contract.

The club hopes to sign Cologne striker Lukas Podolski in the summer and Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness said that transfer could be financed by a reduced contract offer to Ballack.

Bayern Munich withdrew their lucrative four-year offer to Ballack before Christmas and even though they remain keen to keep the Germany captain, any further talks would be based around new terms.

That can mean money is freed up to try and lure Germany international Podolski to Bavaria.

“If Podolski comes to us, then we wouldn’t have any more money for an expensive number 10,” said Hoeness on DSF television.

Hoeness expects Podolski to make up his mind “in the next few weeks” while Ballack’s future is not expected to be decided “until March at the latest” despite his contract expiring this summer.

Ballack future still unknown

2006-01-22T07:04:00.000-08:00

Michael Ballack would choose to leave Bayern Munich, if Spanish club Real Madrid make an offer to him. The local press quoted Bayern manager Uli Hoeness as saying on Friday.

"If Real Madrid come, then Ballack will go," Hoeness told the press.

Actually, contract talks between Real and Ballack advisor Michael Becker have reportedly stalled following an offer by Italian top side Inter Milan.

It's good to remember that Ballack's current deal with Bayern expires at the end of this season which allows him a free transfer.

The midfielder assured that he would make a final decision on his future club by January 31.

Bayern have pulled back an offer of at least 30 million euros over the next four years, after Ballack ignored the club deadline.

Inter wants to sign up Ballack

2006-01-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

German player Michael Ballack is the ideal replacement for Juan Sebastian Veron according to Inter patron Massimo Moratti.

The Argentine midfielder has already stated his hopes to return to his country at the end of this season, leaving a gaping hole in the Nerazzurri squad.

Is good to know that Moratti told the Gazzetta dello Sport: “I hope that Veron will reconsider his decision and stay with us. On a tactical level we have David Pizarro as his replacement, but we need a leader and I cannot help but point out Michael Ballack in that position. He has temperament, charisma and class.”

Bayern Munich trains in Dubai with Ballack willing to remain in the team

2006-01-08T15:09:00.000-08:00

Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack is training along with all the german club squad. They are in the second day of training at the Al Wasl club ground in Dubai. This is not the first time Bayern Munich goes to United Arab Emirates. The current German champions have come to this place twice before.

One of the good things in the team is that Michael Ballack wants to stay in Munich for another year, and would be waiting for the Club to make a good offer.

Ballack still in Bayern plans

2005-12-29T15:32:00.000-08:00

Bayern Munich still wants their star player to be in the team. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said that German Captain Michael Ballack would be welcome to stay at the Allianz Arena if he decides to sign a new contract.

The popular midfielder has failed to agree terms for a new deal with the current Bundesliga champions and is expected to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Rumours continue to grow about which of Europe's top clubs the midfielder will join in the summer, but Rummenigge was keen to let the fans know that Bayern are still keen to reach an agreement with him.

He told us: "If he chooses to stay with us, we would all be happy."

When asked if the club's fans would be happy for Ballack to remain after the protracted contract saga, the chairman added: "That animosity would disappear after he scores the first two goals.

"After scoring them, he would be a hero again."

Bayern Munich goes to Dortmund

2005-12-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

Now that they know they will spend the winter break atop the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich can relax on its trip to Dortmund and then watch its closest rivals in fight.

Michael Ballack team has a four-point lead going into the final round before the break, and plays a road game against a new young Borussia Dortmund squad on Saturday.

But the most interesting match of the 17th round is Sunday, when third-place Werder Bremen hosts second-place Hamburger SV.

Bayern has 41 points, Hamburg has 37 and Bremen 35. Sunday's clash pits the league's most prolific attack against the tightest defense. Werder Bremen has scored 45 goals, while Hamburg has conceded only eight.

Italian Juventus want to sign Ballack

2005-12-15T15:44:00.000-08:00

Juventus Football Club hope to have Michael Ballack join former Bayern Munich teammate Willy Sagnol in the italian squad fpr the next season.

French defender Willy Sagnol is set to confirm his transfer to Juventus in January as he comes off contract in June. It's reported the Frenchman has already agreed terms over a pre-contract with the italian team.

At the same time, it's been known that Juve chiefs have also drawn up a £3.5 million-a-year pre-contract proposition for Ballack to consider.

The deal would make Michael Ballack the highest paid player at the club, but still may not be enough to see off prime rivals Real Madrid for the Bosman prospect.

Ballack at the World Cup Draw

2005-12-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

Germany captain Michael Ballack took part of the World Cup Draw Opening Ceremony yesterday in Leipzig. And he can't be any happier. Germany will face Costa Rica in the World Cup opening match on June 9, 2006, in Munich, then they will have to beat Poland June 14 in Dortmund and wrap up the group on June 20 in Berlin against Ecuador.

It seem like an easy group for the host nation, and captain Ballack know it. They are favorites to make it to the second stage, but it would be very dangerous if they underestimate the rivals. Franz Beckenbauer, who captained the 1974 world champion team and then also coached Germany to their third and so far last title in 1990, warned Michael Ballack and company to be on their guard in the opening game.

Ballack returns in Bayern 0 - Stuttgart 0

2005-12-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

Bayern Munich got a 0-0 draw against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, raising the hopes of its Bundesliga rivals. Michael Ballack was back in the main squad after a 28-day injury layoff. The draw slowed a runaway charge by Bayern, off to a 12-2-1 start, and allowed Hamburger SV to close to within four points with a 3-1 victory over Cologne. The next two sides, Werder Bremen and Schalke, also won.

Sebastian Deisler got the first red card of his career after he kicked a player in the 42nd minute.

"We hoped to win in the second half, but after Sebastian Deisler was ejected, we had to play more defensive than usual," coach Magath said.

The return of Bayern's Michael Ballack didn't enliven the match. Stuttgart lacked the creativity to exploit its man advantage and captain Zvonomir Saldo wasted its only two chances on headers.

"The spectators probably didn't get their money's worth," Magath said.

Chelsea claims: We don't want Ballack

2005-12-04T08:38:00.000-08:00

FC Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said on Friday that he has no intention to sign german midfielder Michael Ballack in the January transfer window.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Ballack's agent had offered the player to both spanish Real Madrid and Chelsea.

But Mourinho said that Michael did not feature in his plans,and insisted he was not looking to make any signings in the January transfer window.

"I am not even thinking about other players. I don't want players in the open market in January," said Mourinho.

"I don't want players because at this moment I am just concentrating on my squad."

The German international's contract with Munich expires next summer.

English Club Chelsea after Ballack

2005-11-29T23:00:00.000-08:00

Meanwhile, Zidane says Ballack is needed in Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich stated that English FC Chelsea is joining the race for Michael Ballack. The German international is set to leave the Bundesliga outfit in the New Year - with Real Madrid expected to land the classy midfielder.

Bayern's vice-president Karl-Heinz Rumenigge said: 'Ballack's future will be decided in January, and he will probably sign for Real Madrid or Chelsea.

'I think he'll decide to play in a high-level championship. Madrid is going through a bad moment, and such a player would do them good to recover their image. Chelsea is a team that is advancing. We hope that it will all be solved in January.'

Ferguson confirms: Manchester Utd. doesn't want Ballack anymore

2005-11-25T17:53:00.000-08:00

Man. Utd. coach Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed his club would not be pursuing their long-standing interest in the Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack in the January transfer window, opting instead to concentrate upon unearthing a direct replacement for the departed Roy Keane.

Ferguson confirmed that this team had held preliminary and informal negotiations with the German national team captain but had withdrawn from the bidding for a player whose contract expires at the end of the season.

"We considered Michael Ballack quite a lot in the last few months. We knew his contract was up and we spoke to his people," Ferguson said.

"He is a terrific player but he does play mainly in the areas we play Wayne Rooney. I think, therefore, we are going to target players we actually need badly.

"You can't include Roy Keane in the equation. Where Ballack plays is nowhere near Roy Keane. The priority was always to replace Roy Keane. We've been talking about it for two or three years but the difficulty is getting one."

Ballack, 29, is now widely expected to sign a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid in January while Ferguson concentrates on other targets, said to include AC Milan's Reno Gattuso, Deportivo la Coruna's Aldo Duscher and Didier Zokora, of St Etienne, although the manager concedes that may prove problematic.

Hoeness: "Ballack won't go for Manchester United"

2005-11-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

Bayern Munich GM Uli Hoeness claims that german midfielder Michael Ballack is not thinking about signing for Manchester United.

When asked after his team victory over Arminia Bielefeld how United's loss off Roy Keane would impact contract talks with Ballack, Hoeness said: "I know Manchester United will not buy Michael Ballack."

Michael Ballack has stated he will not make a decision about his future before January.

Ballack didn't play in Bayern Victory

2005-11-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

Bayern Munich defeated Arminia Bielefeld by 2-1 on Saturday, with two goals of Claudio Pizarro. Michael Ballack wasn't able to play the match because of an injury.

Bayern wiped out Bielefeld's 1-0 lead with goals in the 82nd minute and injury time, seconds before the final whistle. That matched Bayern's own record of 11-1-1 at the beginning of the 1998-99 season.

"To score the gamewinner in the last minute is certainly lucky - we didn't deserve to win," Bayern coach Felix Magath said.

Ballack rejects greed accusations

2005-11-17T18:27:00.000-08:00

Michael Ballack has rejected opinions that claim economic pretensions behind his refusal to sign a new contract with Bayern Munich. The german midfielder will be a free agent at the end of the season and can expect a large signing-on fee if he decides to leave Bayern.

"It's absolutely shameless to say that. The accusation is baseless," Ballack assured. "I only try to leave all my options open."

On Wednesday, Bayern withdrew their offer of a new contract, although they are prepared to talk with Ballack again if he decides to stay.

The midfielder has admitted he wants to speak with other interested clubs, said to include Manchester United and Real Madrid, before signing a new deal.

"I like the city of Munich and Bayern are great but there are one or two other clubs that can compete with them and it would be a great challenge to play abroad," Ballack said.

"It's been a long time since an outfield player from Germany played at a top European club."

AC Milan wants to sign up Ballack

2005-11-14T12:41:00.000-08:00

AC Milan wants to sign up Michael Ballack and it's willing to fight Manchester United and Bayern Munich for having him in theiw squad next season.

Michael is still pondering over whether to sign a lucrative new deal with Bayern, but the shrewd money is on him leaving them for a move abroad to try and further his career.

The 29-year-old is seen as an ideal candidate to strengthen the midfield of some of Europe's biggest clubs and, according to German newspaper 'Bild', Milan are the latest to express an interest.

However it is also being reported that rivals Inter are leading the race to sign Ballack following a meeting between director Gabriele Oriali, Bayern President Karl-Heinz Rumenigge and agent Michael Becker, which is said to have taken place earlier this week.

Ballack brights in Germany - France draw

2005-11-12T23:00:00.000-08:00

Germany held France to a goalless match in a tense friendly game played at the Stade de France. The encounter result yesterday means Germany are still chasing their first win over top-class international opposition since beating England 1-0 at Wembley more than five years ago. France remained undefeated after 17 games under Raymond Domenech, who took over as coach following their quarter-final exit at Euro 2004.

The teams played conservatively and there were few thrills for the crowd on a chilly evening in the French capital.

Jens Lehmann was tested early by his Arsenal clubmate Thierry Henry, who had linked up well with David Trezeguet on the edge of the penalty area, but Henry’s shot lacked his usual clinical touch. France’s best chance of a poor opening half came from a long ball by Lilian Thuram which Henry controlled brilliantly on his chest, creating dangerous space between the German central defenders before he fired his shot wide.

Bayern wins over Bremen

2005-11-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

Fans in the Munich Arena saw a spectacular beginning when Miroslav Klose scored the 1-0 up for Werder Bremen, and inside a minute, Claudio Pizarro ramming against a post inside two, and Bastian Schweinsteiger equalising for Michael Ballack's team a minute later.

Local team second goal stemmed from a beautifully weighted pass from Schweinsteiger on the left. Ze Roberto was just quick enough to reach it ahead of Patrick Owomoyela and the Brazilian pulled the ball back for Pizarro to convert.

Pizarro turned provider for the third, racing clear of his marker on the right and crossing for Makaay, who stumbled slightly but still managed to connect well enough to send the ball flying past Reinke.

Makaay, dropped by Marco van Basten from the latest Dutch squad, celebrated with evident relief.

The second half offered less excitement as Bayern sat deeper and gave Bremen just a couple of chances from corners.

"It was a classic game, particularly in the first half," said Magath. "Like everyone in the stadium I was especially pleased with Roy's goal."

Ballack and Bayern want to beat Juventus

2005-11-01T17:52:00.000-08:00

Bayern Munich can earn a place in the second round of the Champions League with a victory over italian Juventus on Wednesday. Bayern lead the Bundesliga and have won their opening three European matches to lead their group. The German team play at second-place Juventus on Wednesday.

"We are going for a victory. We want to win the group," said Bayern coach Felix Magath, whose team beat Juve 2-1 on October 18.

If Bayern beat Juventus and Rapid Vienna get their first point of the season against FC Brugge, the German team are guaranteed the group-A title.

Juve ended a nine-match winning streak with a 3-1 loss to AC Milan on Saturday, but still lead the Serie A by two points.

"With Bayern, it will be another tough match," Juventus coach Fabio Capello said. "Now more than before I am convinced my team is extremely strong."

Bayern have problems in attack. Roque Santa Cruz is out for about five months with a knee injury, while Roy Makaay hasn't scored in 994 minutes after starting the season with six goals in three games. Makaay is still expected to start considering Claudio Pizarro, and Paulo Guerrero are even more out of form.

"He'll have to be able to deal with the pressure. I expect him to show his strength again," Magath said of Makaay.

Michael Ballack again will be relied upon. He scored the winner against Aue in the German Cup and then notched the winner again on Saturday in a 2-1 win over FC Cologne.

Ballack keeps Bayern on top

2005-10-30T12:16:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL Ballack's 73rd-minute winner took Bayern Munich to a 2-1 victory over FC Cologne in the German Bundesliga on Saturday.

Matthias Scherz opened the scoring for Cologne in the 28th after an accurate through pass, but Lucio leveled from close range in the 55th in front of 50,000 supporters.

Bayern struggled until Ballack headed in from a corner by Sebastian Deisler, and Bayern goalie Oliver Kahn then foiled several attempts in the closing minutes.

"I think that was the most entertaining match for the fans this season," Kahn said.

Bayern coach Felix Magath believes the contract negotiations with Ballack has motivated the Germany captain. Last Wednesday, his late header gave Bayern a 1-0 German Cup win at Aue.

"We're profiting from the negotiations," Magath said. "As long as he keeps scoring the important goals, I don't get so nervous that he hasn't signed with us."

Bayern, 9-1-1, has 28 points, Werder Bremen 26 and Hamburger SV 24, after it beat Schalke 1-0.

Bayern plays Bremen, which pounded Eintract Frankfurt 4-1, next weekend.

"We are in good form, they are in good form — we're all looking forward to the match," Bremen's Germany midfielder, Tim Borowski, said.

Bremen has scored 31 goals in its 11 league matches — seven ahead of its nearest rival, Bayern.

Bayern Munich beats Erzgebirge Aue

2005-10-26T19:32:00.000-07:00

Bayern Munich struggled to beat second division Erzgebirge Aue 1-0 on a late goal by Michael Ballack and advance to the third round of the German Cup on Wednesday.

Ballack had one score disallowed and another attempt cleared on the line before heading in the winning goal off a cross from Willy Sagnol in the 80th minute. Two top-division teams were eliminated by second-division sides: Hansa Rostock upset Stuttgart, and 1860 Munich edged Duisburg, both by 3-2 scores.

Hamburger SV rallied with a late winner from Raphael Wicky to beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-2.

Michael still undecided

2005-10-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

Manchester United will discover at the end of next month whether they have any chance of signing Michael Ballack from Bayern Munich.

Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to have placed Ballack on his hit-list as he looks to find a replacement for Roy Keane, who has stated this season will be his last at Old Trafford.

Ballack has long been viewed as one of the most effective central midfielders in Europe and, with his contract due to expire next summer, Ferguson knows he could land the 29-year-old on a free transfer.

Bayern are also acutely of the fact, which is why they want a firm decision on where Ballack sees his future before the transfer window opens in January.

Ballack's agent insists the midfielder has not made a final decision, but reports in recent days have suggested that Ballack has already made up his mind to leave the Bundesliga giants, and he is biding his time in an effort to drum up as much interest as possible from Europe's top clubs ahead of the winter transfer window.

Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer and chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have both spoken in the press about the clubs that could potentially interest Ballack, but the midfielder's representative Michael Becker believes his client's departure from the biggest club in Germany is not certain.

"To be honest he is still completely undecided, and that is why he asked for a few more weeks to come to his decision," Becker said.

"We sat down and discussed things with Bayern over lunch the day after the Juventus game and Michael said he needed some time to think. He asked whether it would be okay if he let Bayern know before the end of November and they said that was okay.

"He has always said that his goal is to win the Champions League, and that will be essential to his decision."

The Germany captain will be free to speak to other clubs from January 1, and Beckenbauer stoked the speculation that he could be set to leave by admitting in Sport Bild on Wednesday: "I can understand him not being over the moon at the chance to stay with Bayern."

However he warned him against a move to Serie A, comparing the dwindling crowd figures in Italy with the lower leagues in Germany.

"It's like the fourth division here in Germany with often just seven, eight or nine thousand fans," he said.

"I'm not sure it would be any fun there."

When asked to pick out the best potential destination for Ballack outside Germany, Beckenbauer went on to say: "I'd probably say yes to Real Madrid.

"They stand above all others in terms of legend. They're the ambition of everyone and it was the same in my time. But Michael must know where his own future lies."

Ballack admits German bad performance

2005-10-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

Michael Ballack admitted last Thursday that the German national team had hit a low after been defeated by Turkey last weekend and a hard-fought 1-0 win over China on Wednesday.

"It is a low. We have to see if we can climb out of it," said the Bayern Munich playmaker, who missed both friendly matches because he has flu.

Bayern Munich's player said he did not believe his absence was a reason for the poor performances, which have led to criticism of the team's preparations for next year's World Cup finals in Germany.

"I don't believe I am irreplaceable and that certainly should not be used as an alibi for the national team," said

Michael Ballack to miss Germany match

2005-10-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

Michael Ballack will miss again a game of German national Team on Wednesday when they play China in a friendly international in Hamburg. Germany's captain missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Turkey in Istanbul after coming down with flu and his recovery has been slower than expected.

Klinsmann stated he would accept criticism after the side's latest away defeat but he believes the experience will be character building for his young squad with next year's World Cup in mind. He has further injury worries after midfielder Bernd Schneider and defenders Marcell Jansen and Lukas Sinkiewicz all missed training in Istanbul on Sunday.

"The criticism that's coming is absolutely in order," the coach said.

"But we've always said that the process of building for the World Cup will bring highs and lows. Young players need the setbacks as well in order to grow."

Striker Miroslav Klose, fit again after his bout of flu, is due to meet up with the squad when they fly back into Hamburg late on Sunday.

As hosts, Germany qualify automatically for the World Cup.

That means they have only a diet of friendlies to prepare for the tournament.

"We've seen that we have a great deal of work still to do," Klinsmann added.

Michael Ballack could sign up for Manchester United

2005-10-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

Manchester United wants to sign their main target Michael Ballack and the future of the transfer can be decided later this month. The German international star has been closely linked with a move to Old Trafford next year, as Sir Alex Ferguson looks for to bolster his midfield.

Ballack's contract expires at the end of the season, but, saysBayern chairman Karl-Heinze Rummenigge, the player will sit down with club officials and sort out his future this month.

"It will then be the time for him to decide whether to accept our offer or not," he told Bild.

If the player fails to agree a new deal with the club, they may decide to sell him during the January transfer window rather than see him walk away for nothing in the summer.

And that could pave the way for a cut-price United deal if they decide to move for the midfielder early.

Hamburg breaks Bayern streak

2005-09-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Michael Ballack returned to play for Bayern, but he couldn't help Hamburg ending Bayern Munich's record 15-match winning streak in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 home win on Saturday.

Hamburg closed to within one point of Bayern and stretched its unbeaten streak to 17 matches with a defence that has conceded four goals in seven games this season. Ballack's team didn't have a single clear chance in front of 56,000 fans at AOL Arena.

''It was not our day, not our match and somehow we were due for a loss,'' Kahn said. ''Now the weight of the winning streak is off our shoulders.''

Raphael van der Vaart opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a low shot past diving goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. Former Bayern player Piotr Trochowski added the second in the 62nd.

The champion was stunned by the Dutch international's early score, which came when a deflected pass went to Hamburg while Bayern's defenders were moving out.

The goal sparked off singing and dancing among home supporters that lasted the entire game.

Michael Ballack returned for Bayern after three matches out injured, but it was the Hamburg midfield that controlled play.

''I think we came into the match very confident and played that way - after all we have an impressive streak of our own,'' Hamburg coach Thomas Doll said.

Hamburg's fans will get to celebrate properly. A German brewery promised 10,000 litres of beer to the team that first beat Bayern this year.

Van der Vaart is one of several newcomers who have boosted Hamburg as the team seeks its first Bundesliga title since 1983.

''Hamburger SV will certainly play for the title - but they won't beat us,'' Bayern coach Felix Magath said.

Bayern's loss came after widespread fears in Germany the club would run away with the title for the second straight year.

Bayern has 18 points from seven rounds, Hamburg has 17, and Bremen is on 16 after its 2-1 win against Leverkusen.

In other matches, it was: Duisburg 1, Nuremberg 0; Schalke 2, Hannover 96 0; VfL Wolfsburg 1, Frankfurt 0; Mainz 05 1, Dortmund 1; and Bielefeld 0, Moenchengladbach 2.

Ballack back for Bayern's match

2005-09-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

Bayern are expecting the toughest challenge yet to their 15-match winning run as they prepare to take on a Hamburg side inspired by Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.

Ballack's absence in the last two league games with an ankle injury has coincided with a marked dip in form for Bayern.

Felix Magath's team only just managed 1-0 wins over Hanover 96 and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern have no replacement for a player who steadies their defence and leads their attacks and his return will ease Magath's fears as he prepares to visit the club where he made his name as a gifted forward and later became coach.

"I'm delighted Michael is back," Magath said. "We don't have anyone who can do that job in midfield.

"We were better against Frankfurt than we were in the previous game and we'll look to improve again. We know we're going to lose the winning run at some point but every victory gives us a cushion. A fat cushion would be nice."

Hamburg have won four and drawn two of their six league games so far this term to climb to second place, four points behind Bayern, but coach Thomas Doll still sees his side as clear underdogs.

"We're playing against the dominant team in the Bundesliga and they will be the favourites," Doll said.

While Bayern also expect to have striker Roque Santa Cruz back in the squad, Hamburg have had no such good news on the injury front.

Hamburg wants to stop Bayern's Record

2005-09-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

Bayern Munich's record of 15 straight Bundesliga wins may get its toughest test yet Saturday when the league leader and defending champion at second-place Hamburg SV.

Hamburg's players are on a high after beating Stuttgart 2-1 on Wednesday. The win kept the northern team unbeaten in 16 matches this season, including Intertoto and German Cup games, and set up the showdown with Bayern, which is four points ahead in the table.

"We're developing great," said coach Thomas Doll. "It's just wonderful to see how the players believed in themselves to the last minute."

Hamburg's players may even feel luck is on their side after a wild deflection gave David Jarolim an 87th-minute deflected goal against Stuttgart.

"That ball looked like a wild bird - that was luck," Stuttgart's Andreas Henkel said.

However, Bayern's Michael Ballack will return from an ankle injury. Although Bayern had three straight 1-0 wins without their captain, with him, the champion thrashed its first four Bundesliga opponents by a combined score of 13-3.

"Whatever the media and the fans make out of the Bayern match, for us it is the same as if we played Frankfurt," Hamburg forward Sergei Barbarez said. "You can't say how good we are after just six rounds."

Many in Germany would like to see a rival emerge for Bayern to avoid a title runaway. On Thursday, a brewery offered 10,000 liters of free beer to the fans of which ever team first beats the frontrunners.

"That's nonsense, I don't think we're threatened with a boring season," Bayern coach Felix Magath said. "It's long and it will get tough for us."

Bayern could match its own record, accomplished twice, with a seventh straight win to open the season.

Magath should remember Hamburg's last title in 1982-83. He was the team's star.

Third-placed Bremen, already five points behind the Bayern, will face a tough match Saturday against fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Stuttgart will try to rebound the next day against Kaiserslautern as pressure mounts on coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

Stuttgart's management said its sad the euphoria generated in the city by signing one of the world's most successful coaches has dissipated with a 1-3-2 record and 12th place.

The 66-year-old Italian defended himself against charges he isn't the right man to lead the German team.

"We fit together, but there's always difficulties," he told Kicker magazine. "But you also have to realize, a man and woman love each other, but can still separate."

In other matches, it's: Duisburg vs Nuremberg, Schalke vs. Hannover 96, Wolfsburg vs. Eintracht Frankfurt, Mainz 05 vs. Dortmund, Bielefeld vs. Moenchengladbach, and Cologne vs. Hertha Berlin.

Ballack heals of his ankle injury

2005-09-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

German midfielder Michael Ballack returned to training on Wednesday and should be fit for Bayern Munich's league match away to Hamburg SV on Saturday. "I assume he'll be available," coach Felix Magath said after the session.

Ballack, the Germany captain, has missed Bayern's last three games, two in the Bundesliga and one in the Champions League because of this anoying injury. Bayern won all three by a goal to nil but their sparkling attacking form of the early season has largely disappeared since Ballack's injury.

Michael Ballack Bio

2005-09-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

Michael Ballack is a very smart midfielder too important for every coach he's ever had. Excellent touch on the ball. Criticized for being 'lazy' on the pitch, Michael proved that his seemingly slow gait in midfield was merely a case of the lion waiting to pounce. Owner of powerful shots from outside the area. Instrumental to both club and country, manager Rudi Völler will be counting on the attacking midfielder to set the tone for his side at FIFA World Cup in 2006.

Born in East Germany, Micheal Ballack broke into the Bundesliga at age 20 with Kaiserslautern. Clashes with then coach Otto Rehhagel prompted a 1999 transfer to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Ballack flourished under successive Leverkusen coaches Christoph Daum and Klaus Toppmoeller. The 2001/2002 season saw Ballack at his best as he took his side to the Champions League finals before losing out to Real Madrid. With Leverkusen finishing second in the Bundesliga, Ballack's 17 club goals earned him the German Player of the Year title. His first season with FC Bayern München was a success as the squad took the league title and Ballack once again won German Player of the Year.

At 27 Ballack is already a veteran on the international stage. Finishing second behind England in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifications, Ballack's three goals over two legs against the Ukraine were the saving grace for Germany. Ballack continued his quality play in Japan / South Korea, scoring three goals including the crucial semi-final strike against South Korea. His leadership and four goals carried Germany through the 2004 Eurocup qualifications, with his side finishing first in their group.