Ballack: We're favourites
Ballack: We're favourites
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Thursday, 29, Jun 2006 08:45
Germany captain Michael Ballack surprisingly claimed that his team are favourites to beat the tournament's best performers in tomorrow's clash with Argentina.
The Argentines have been far and away the greatest team so far. Their scintillating 6-0 annihilation of Serbia and Montenegro impressed everybody.
However their muted performance against Mexico has obviously given Ballack hope that they have already peaked.
The new Chelsea midfielder has yet to score this summer despite a Frank Lampard-esque number of shots on goal, but he is still confident that Germany will progress.
Germany have not beaten a top team since they defeated Kevin Keegan's woeful England side in the last match at Wembley six years ago.
Their best result since then was a 2-2 draw with Argentina at the end of last year and Ballack is taking comfort from that performance.
The Germany captain said: "We played well against them. We entered the match as underdogs, which will not be the same tomorrow, but playing well does not suffice this time out.
"We want to reach the next round. We have the hunger to play three more matches and that is why our chances are 60-40. We are not worried."
Germany won their second round easily against a poor Sweden team, whereas Argentina were forced to wait for a belting Maxi Rodriguez strike to beat Mexico in extra time.