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Ballack blasts Klinsmann

01 Jun 2006 - 17:33:35

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A rift between captain Michael Ballack and manager Jurgen Klinsmann is threatening to derail Germany's World Cup hopes.

Ballack, who sealed a transfer from Bayern Munich to Chelsea last month, was unhappy with Germany's display in this week's disappointing 2-2 draw with Japan.

The World Cup hosts were forced to hit back from two goals down to salvage a face-saving draw, and Ballack was unimpressed with Klinsmann's tactics for the game.

"Jurgen Klinsmann has formulated a very young team in the last two years and we are always making the same mistakes and we have the same problems in defence," Ballack said in the build-up to Friday's friendly with Colombia.

"We have a very, very attacking style as we showed against Japan but we are losing too much possession.

"Against teams which will be very well prepared for the World Cup, like Costa Rica, Ecuador and Poland (Germany's Group A opponents), we should be concentrating on our defence.

"The coach knows what I think as well as what other players think. We have already spoken about this but it's up to him to make the final decisions.

We don't need to talk every day. He's the trainer and sets up the system that he wants us to play.

"By and large we're in agreement. On some points we have different views. If everyone expressed their opinions aloud all the time we'd have chaos."