Germany captain Michael Ballack believes the hosts are slight favourites for today's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina (5 p.m.) in Berlin and said they were far from intimidated by the South Americans.
Ballack has been a key figure in stabilising Germany's defence - they have kept three consecutive clean sheets - and he feels the hosts can now send Argentina packing. "We are not afraid of Argentina. Our performances show we should not be afraid of anyone," Ballack said at Wednesday's press conference.
"We really believe we can win the title. We have not had
confidence like this for a long time." Argentina forward Javier Saviola said his team had a 60-40 chance of going through but Ballack disagreed.
"I see it exactly the same way - but in Germany's favour. We are
not outsiders and not content just to play well against Argentina," said the new Chelsea man.
"We want to progress and I would say it is 60-40 for us. We are meeting a terrific opponent and they deserve the utmost respect but we have to look at our game not theirs."
Argentina's brilliant playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme is regarded
as the danger man but Ballack said the Villareal star would not be man-marked.
"The coach has talked about a few players but I do not think we
will man-mark Riquelme," the 29-year-old said. "We have to play our game and not focus too much on the opponents."
Argentina will certainly watch out for Ballack who has scored 31
goals from midfield at a ratio of almost one every two games. He has yet to score at these finals - although he hit the post in the 2-0 second round win over Sweden - but is not concerned with
personal targets.
"I had a lot of shots against Sweden but unfortunately none went
in. I am not thinking of scoring. I just want the team to do well." Ballack explained. The former Bayer Leverkusen player, who missed the 2002 World Cup final through suspension, was forced to sit out Tuesday's training session with a swollen ankle but says he is fully fit for Argentina. "It was just a knock but I am okay now," Ballack said.
Klinsmann says Ballack has developed through the responsibility
of being captain and become a real leader for Germany. "In two years Michael has helped the team enormously. He is a leader on and off the pitch," Klinsmann said. "He has really developed over the past two years and there is a lot more to come."
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Germany captain Michael Ballack believes the hosts are slight favourites for today's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina (5 p.m.) in Berlin and said they were far from intimidated by the South Americans.
Ballack has been a key figure in stabilising Germany's defence - they have kept three consecutive clean sheets - and he feels the hosts can now send Argentina packing. "We are not afraid of Argentina. Our performances show we should not be afraid of anyone," Ballack said at Wednesday's press conference.
"We really believe we can win the title. We have not had
confidence like this for a long time." Argentina forward Javier Saviola said his team had a 60-40 chance of going through but Ballack disagreed.
"I see it exactly the same way - but in Germany's favour. We are
not outsiders and not content just to play well against Argentina," said the new Chelsea man.
"We want to progress and I would say it is 60-40 for us. We are meeting a terrific opponent and they deserve the utmost respect but we have to look at our game not theirs."
Argentina's brilliant playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme is regarded
as the danger man but Ballack said the Villareal star would not be man-marked.
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"The coach has talked about a few players but I do not think we
will man-mark Riquelme," the 29-year-old said. "We have to play our game and not focus too much on the opponents."
Argentina will certainly watch out for Ballack who has scored 31
goals from midfield at a ratio of almost one every two games. He has yet to score at these finals - although he hit the post in the 2-0 second round win over Sweden - but is not concerned with
personal targets.
"I had a lot of shots against Sweden but unfortunately none went
in. I am not thinking of scoring. I just want the team to do well." Ballack explained. The former Bayer Leverkusen player, who missed the 2002 World Cup final through suspension, was forced to sit out Tuesday's training session with a swollen ankle but says he is fully fit for Argentina. "It was just a knock but I am okay now," Ballack said.
Klinsmann says Ballack has developed through the responsibility
of being captain and become a real leader for Germany. "In two years Michael has helped the team enormously. He is a leader on and off the pitch," Klinsmann said. "He has really developed over the past two years and there is a lot more to come."
