Ballack better than Zidane: Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer believes Bayern Munich playmaker Michael Ballack is just as good as Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane, if not better.

"Who will be the king of Europe?" the Bayern president wrote in a column in Tuesday's Bild newspaper. "My favourite is Michael Ballack."

Beckenbauer, whose team start their Champions League campaign at home against Deportivo Coruna on Wednesday, acknowledged the Frenchman was the more elegant player.

"But Ballack is not only five years younger than Zidane," wrote the World Cup-winning captain and coach.

"He's also more dangerous in front of goal and moves up front more often.

"I'm totally honest by saying that I wouldn't swap him (Ballack) for Zidane."

Ballack, who joined Bayern from last season's Champions League finalists Bayer Leverkusen, bruised his left foot in a Bundesliga game on Saturday.

Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was to decide later on Tuesday whether the German international could play against Deportivo but Ballack sounded confident.

"It doesn't hurt anymore," the 25-year-old told Bild. "I will play."

Hitzfeld will definitely be without wing-back Bixente Lizarazu, who has a sore right knee and is also hampered by back pain. The Frenchman is set to be replaced by Michael Tarnat.

Brazilian striker Elber said he felt Bayern, who won the Champions League in 2001, could go all the way this season again.

"We have a dream and we have a team capable of winning the Champions League," he said.

"Real are the big favourites, until they play against us."