Chelsea FC

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Ballack blames tactics

04 Jan 2007 - 15:30:43

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Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has cited a difference in tactics for his stuttering form since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Bayern Munich in the summer.

The Germany international has failed to fulfil his promise since signing for the champions on a free transfer before last summer's World Cup.

But the 30-year-old playmaker insists a fundamental difference between how the two teams play is behind his troubles.

"I would have hoped there would be more crosses in the air for me to score from," revealed a disappointed Ballack.

"At Munich the tactics were similar but there were far more crosses.

"The game we play is slightly different from what I was used to. The full-backs do not press forward as they did at Bayern.

"And if we sometimes change and play with forwards on the wings, they are the type of players that like to get the ball into the box and try to score rather than pass it on.

"That situation makes it more difficult for me to play to my strengths, like heading the ball into the net."