Chelsea could step up the pursuit for Champions League title by signing two of the biggest names in world football
Bayern Munich defeated Kaiserslautern 3-1 in the German Cup final for their fourth domestic league and cup double.
Germany's World Cup hopes suffered a severe blow on Monday when captain Michael Ballack was ruled out of the finals in South Africa with an ankle injury.
Michael Ballack struck a thunderbolt free kick to send an unconvincing Germany through to the Euro 2008 quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over co-hosts Austria on Monday.
German midfielder Michael Ballack has said that this year's English Premier League campaign is looking like a 'two-horse race,' after just six games.
Midfielder Michael Ballack says Germany do not need to play a "beautiful game" to succeed and should focus instead on developing a winning mentality.
The 27-year-old East Germany-born midfielder's elegance on the pitch should not be mistaken for arrogance.
Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-1 to pull level at the top of the Premier League and keep their title hopes alive.
The Germany captain hobbled off just before halftime in Wednesday night's friendly and it was unclear if he would be fit for Saturday's Premier League match.
Germany captain Michael Ballack was forced out of a practice match on Thursday after suffering an ankle injury.
Michael Ballack will miss Germany's World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Finland through injury.
A stunning strike by Didier Drogba earned 10-man Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday after the champions had Germany midfielder Michael Ballack dismissed for stamping
Germany midfielder Michael Ballack's international career was ended by coach Joachim Loew on Thursday after he told the 34-year-old he is no longer in his plans because of the impact of the squad's younger players.
The German midfielder said he chose to sign for Chelsea instead of Manchester United because the English champions are a better team.
Steve McCLaren's VfL Wolfsburg slumped to another Bundesliga defeat on Saturday with a 2-0 loss at Borussia Dortmund while Michael Ballack was injured in Bayer Leverkusen's 2-2 draw at Hanover 96.
A round-up of weekend action in the main European leagues.
Give us your take on Tuesday's games in the World Cup!
Germany's World Cup harmony was disrupted on Tuesday after skipper Philipp Lahm said he had no intention of willingly giving up the captain's armband when Michael Ballack returns to fitness.
Germany return home on Wednesday following their Euro 2020 last 16 exit to England, with departing coach Joachim Loew at the heart of fierce criticism after yet another early tournament elimination.
Germany midfielder Sami Khedira stepped into injured captain Michael Ballack's boots with an impressive performance in their 3-0 win over hosts Hungary in a World Cup warm-up on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea came from behind to win 3-1 at Sunderland on Tuesday and make it two wins from two in the Premier League.
Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia will play under Michael Ballack or Clarence Seedorf in the 'Goal 4 Africa' charity match in Munich.
Captain Michael Ballack grabbed an 82nd minute winner for Germany, who fought back from a goal down to beat Serbia 2-1 on Saturday in their last friendly before the Euro 2008 finals.
Leaders Manchester United stayed three points clear in the English Premier League by beating Everton 3-0.
Rediff.com takes a look at the footballers who are making an impact recently despite a protective gear.
The great weight of German expectation will slam headlong into a wall of Australian defensive grit and muscle when the spectacular new Moses Mabhida stadium hosts its first World Cup match on Sunday.
The theory in Germany goes that the loss of Michael Ballack could actually work in their favour, giving an outstanding crop of fresh-faced, fleet-footed players a chance to flourish at this World Cup.
Pragmatic Germany had to revert to old-school tactics to see off an outstanding Ghana team 1-0 on Wednesday and reach the second round of the World Cup.
Holders Chelsea eased into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a straightforward 4-1 home victory over Championship (second division) promotion challengers Cardiff City on Saturday.
FIFA has changed its rule on yellow-card amnesties at the World Cup to reduce the chances of big name players missing out on the July 11 final.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, the last two winners of the World Player of the Year award, have been included in a FIFA shortlist for this year's accolade. The 23-man shortlist was drawn up by FIFA's Football Committee and will be voted on by the captains and head coaches of the world's national teams with the winner to be announced on December 21.
Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm will captain Germany in place of injured Michael Ballack and Manuel Neuer will be the starting goalkeeper at next month's World Cup, coach Joachim Loew said.
Three goals in seven minutes gave Chelsea a 3-0 Premier League home win over Burnley on Saturday while champions Manchester United were thankful for an Abou Diaby own goal as they came from 1-0 down to beat Arsenal 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Chelsea went some way to relieving the pressure on coach Luiz Felipe Scolari by coming from behind to beat Southend United 4-1 in an entertaining FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday.
Chelsea are planning to release prolific striker Didier Drogba at the end of this season.
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