Ballack: "We certainly have enough quality"

"It was on a trip to Malta and I was a young player 'checking it out'", Michael Ballack remembers his first stint with Berti Vogts, then national coach of the German team. His memory dates back eleven years and since, much has changed.

Ballack now has 92 caps and is skipper of the German team. Berti Vogts now is headcoach of the Azerbaijan national team.

Ballack: "We are favourites"

On Wednesday (6 pm, live on ARD) Ballack and Vogts meet in Baku when Germany, number four in the FIFA rankings, face number 137 Azerbaijan in a World Cup qualifier. Whereas Germany (16 points) top the table of qualifying group four, Azerbaijan rank next to last (1 point).

As to statistics, the parts are assigned. "Of course we are favourites and we want to gain three points. But in no way will we underestimate our opponents", Ballack says.

Michael Ballack has appeared in many matches when most people just talked about by how many goals the favourites would win. He has made his experiences. If the favourite did win, they did due to the bad performance of their opponent. If they had difficulties, they were blamed for their bad performance, instead of applauding the determined fight of the underdog.

"The season is about to start and we won't be able to show our best performance. But we certainly have enough quality to avoid the upset", Ballack adds.

"Of course, we think about winning the title"

As to Wednesday, Ballack is looking forward to the match in Baku, but still regards the early time in the young season as "not ideal".

As to the World Cup, the German skipper is focused on achieving his most ambitious goal: "Of course we think about winning the title. But before, we have to get our home-work done."