Loew's concern at Ballack's Champions League exclusion
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
COLOGNE, Sept 4 (AFP): German head coach Joachim Loew admitted on Tuesday he was surprised midfielder Michael Ballack has been omitted from Chelsea's Champions League squad as he recuperates from an ankle injury.
Ballack, 30, injured his left ankle on April 27 against Newcastle in the Premier League and has been left out the English side's 25-man squad for the Champions League group matches.
Loew said he hopes to have Ballack fit for Germany's Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland, on October 13, and the Czech Republic on October 17.
But there is concern amongst the Germans that the English club seem to think Ballack's recovery will take far longer and is eager for an update from the player himself.
"It is a surprise and we are concerned that Michael has been left out of the Champions League squad," Loew told German agency SID.
And Germany's manager Oliver Bierhof said the national team's management need to speak to the player.
"Of course we are worried," said Bierhof.
"I have not been able to get hold of Michael yet.
"He is the only one who can tell us how his injury is, because all we know is what we have read in the newspapers.
"Of course it is a blow that he is not in the squad for the Champions League, but on the other hand, Chelsea have so many good players they can afford to lose Michael for the qualifying rounds.
"We still hope that Michael is available to us in October in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Ireland.
"But the most important thing is that he is fit for next summer's European Championships, he has been going back and forwards to Munich for treatment."
The last contact the German team had with Ballack was during the 2-1 win over England at Wembley on August 22, when he told the team's management he was expected to be back in training soon.
And Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set to face the Welsh in Cardiff and appears to have recovered from the achilles tendon injury he picked up against England in the 2-1 win at Wembley on August 22.
Ballack, 30, injured his left ankle on April 27 against Newcastle in the Premier League and has been left out the English side's 25-man squad for the Champions League group matches.
Loew said he hopes to have Ballack fit for Germany's Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland, on October 13, and the Czech Republic on October 17.
But there is concern amongst the Germans that the English club seem to think Ballack's recovery will take far longer and is eager for an update from the player himself.
"It is a surprise and we are concerned that Michael has been left out of the Champions League squad," Loew told German agency SID.
And Germany's manager Oliver Bierhof said the national team's management need to speak to the player.
"Of course we are worried," said Bierhof.
"I have not been able to get hold of Michael yet.
"He is the only one who can tell us how his injury is, because all we know is what we have read in the newspapers.
"Of course it is a blow that he is not in the squad for the Champions League, but on the other hand, Chelsea have so many good players they can afford to lose Michael for the qualifying rounds.
"We still hope that Michael is available to us in October in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Ireland.
"But the most important thing is that he is fit for next summer's European Championships, he has been going back and forwards to Munich for treatment."
The last contact the German team had with Ballack was during the 2-1 win over England at Wembley on August 22, when he told the team's management he was expected to be back in training soon.
And Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is set to face the Welsh in Cardiff and appears to have recovered from the achilles tendon injury he picked up against England in the 2-1 win at Wembley on August 22.