Germany captain Michael Ballack believes he has recovered from injury and disagrees with coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision to rest him for the opening game of the World Cup against Costa Rica on Friday, a report said.
”I have had intensive treatment. I feel fit and I’m not feeling pain any more. I want to play,” Ballack told Friday’s Bild newspaper.
Ballack (29) has missed several training sessions with a calf injury and Germany coach Klinsmann said on Thursday he would not be risked in the tournament curtain-raiser in Munich.
But the new Chelsea signing said he had told Klinsmann he was desperate to play.
”I have told the coach. It is up to him whether I play against Costa Rica or not.”
Ballack, the host nation’s most influential player, has criticised Klinsmann’s tactics in the build-up to the World Cup, saying the team’s attacking approach leaves the defence too exposed. — AFP
