Ballack ready to dig Germany out of another hole
ALMANCIL: Germany's Michael Ballack could hold the key to a quarter-final spot at Euro 2004 but he would not mind if someone else opened the door.
“I'm not putting too much pressure on myself,” Ballack said ahead of today's Group D decider against the Czech Republic.
“We have to win and somebody has to score, but it doesn't have to be me.”
The superstitious playmaker, who insists on wearing the number 13 shirt, has a record of scoring important goals and he will have to be at his best if Germany are to beat the Czechs.
All the Germany strikers tried out so far have struggled and Ballack, the most prolific scorer in the squad with 19 goals, could be the solution once again.
“It is very important that Michael Ballack can get near the box and in a position to score,” coach Rudi Voeller said on the eve of the game at Lisbon's Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Ballack was named man-of-the-match in both Germany's games here but most of his work was defensive and he was rarely dangerous in front of goal.
The only truly creative player in the side, Ballack does not mind doing the hard work and is prepared to do it again today.
“We have to rely on our main strengths, which are a tight defence and a compact midfield,” he said.
The elegant 27-year-old was the inspiration behind Germany's run to the 2002 World Cup final and played a vital role in the qualifying campaign for this tournament.
He has been criticised for below-par performances in recent months, both for the national team and his Bayern Munich side, yet his combative displays in Germany's first two games were a reminder that Ballack can raise his game when it matters.
“I am not surprised at all,” said Voeller. “We always knew what we had in him.”
There were fears that Ballack's doubts over his own future might be a distraction after Barcelona expressed an interest.
“I am not worrying about that at all at the moment,” he said. – Reuters
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