Ballack class gives hosts chance of World Cup win
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-05-23 15:25
FRANKFURT, May 23 - Germany has just one world-class player going into
the 2006 World Cup but considering that man is Michael Ballack the hosts will
feel anything is possible.
 Ballack faces two huge challenges this year: attempting to lead Germany
to victory in the World Cup finals and then proving his star qualities all over
again in England after his move to Chelsea.
At the age of 29, the man from Goerlitz in the old East Germany has matured
into the sort of midfielder every coach wants.
His influence may not always be obvious over the whole 90 minutes, and the
German media can be harsh in its criticism of him, but there is no player quite
like him when the clock is ticking down and nothing but a goal will do.
Simply put, he thrives on pressure and when his team desperately need a goal
it is inevitably Ballack throwing himself into the penalty area to make the
decisive header or provoke the foul that will bring it.
"We could find a player to replace him in terms of the role he plays, but we
could never find someone with his character," Bayern coach Felix Magath said
this season, as reports first surfaced of his likely departure.
Ballack has already shown he can have a huge influence at the highest level,
by leading an average Germany to the final in South Korea and Japan four years
ago.
His importance to the team has only increased in the last four years since
joining Bayern from Bayer Leverkusen and he led the Bavarians to three German
league and cup doubles.
Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann backed the idea of him moving abroad --
Klinsmann himself enjoyed successful spells in England, Italy and France -- and
Ballack wants to make the switch as newly crowned world champion.
"We intend to do great things at the World Cup this summer," Ballack wrote on
his personal website.
Given the events of four years ago, it is worth taking Ballack's warning
seriously.
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