BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew on Tuesday hinted ex-captain Michael Ballack may no longer have a future in the national side after saying the veteran is not his first choice in midfield.
Ballack, 34, had been left out of the Germany squad who faced Italy in a friendly in Dortmund yesterday as he works his way back to fitness after four months out with injury.
Having missed last year’s World Cup after tearing ankle ligaments, Germany finished third in South Africa as Ballack’s defensive midfield role was filled by Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Loew gave the clearest indication so far that Ballack’s international career may be over by saying the ex-Chelsea star will need to win back his place for next month’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Kazakhstan and friendly with Australia.
“Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger are my first choice in midfield,” said Loew, with Ballack having won 98 caps for his country. “We are not in a situation where we need to decide now if Michael Ballack will be back in the side in March.
“It all depends on him and whether he can produce the type of performances expected in the next few weeks.
“The quality of the player is what counts and whether he fits in with the style of football we are trying to play.”
No comments:
Post a Comment