I must play better, admits German talisman Ballack

MICHAEL BALLACK admits he has let Germany down so far at Euro 2008 and is determined not to suffer the embarrassment of failing to reach the knockout stages to add to his end-of-season agony at Chelsea.

The 31-year-old lost out to Manchester United on the last day of the Premier League season and in the Champions League final, and now defeat to Austria in Group B tonight (7.45pm) would mean an early exit for his country.

He feels that failing to get the point they need against the co-hosts would match the disappointment of losing the league, cup and the European Cup at the last hurdle with Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

Ballack also wants an improvement in his own performance after struggling to make an impact against Poland and Croatia. “I know I can play better and should play better,” Ballack said. “Overall we haven’t played to our full potential yet.”

Ballack led clear-the-air talks with the squad away from the Germany management team following defeat to Croatia when they lost more comfortably than the 2-1 scoreline suggested.

“We’ve resolved to give everything on Monday. We are honest enough to be self-critical. But let’s look at the positive aspect — at least there’s plenty of room for improvement,” he said.

“It wasn’t a crisis meeting but players were able to speak more openly away from the coaches.

“You are not out to run anybody down but sometimes you have to say things with a rough edge.”

Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended while Marcell Jansen’s shoulder injury will keep him out.

Ballack added: “We have lost a game, but still have a chance. We are still in the tournament and the situation has not changed. We have got to win every game from now on in.”

The crowd will be largely Austrian and hostile, and the stakes for the hosts are even higher as they look to cause an upset against their more illustrious neighbours.

“I think we are favourites and Austria know they have nothing to lose, given the way they have been talking,” Ballack continued.

“It will be tough with a full stadium and the home fans getting behind them, but we knew this would be the case before the tournament began.

“With the right attitude and the performances of recent months, we have nothing to fear.”

Coach Joachim Low has promised to make changes to the side which lost to Croatia.

The 4-4-2 system will probably be maintained, but the personnel are expected to be different. Marcel Jansen is out injured while Schweinsteiger is suspended.

Lukas Podolski may be moved up front with Kevin Kuranyi or Oliver Neuville, leaving two spaces on either wing to occupy assuming Clemens Fritz reverts to full-back as he did in the latter stages of the Croatia game.

Austria coach Josef Hickersberger wants to roll back the years and inflict another giantkilling on Germany.

Hickersberger was a player in 1978 when Austria defeated West Germany to knock them out of the World Cup, and his players have the chance to do the same today.

“With the support of the fans to inspire us, it won’t be a hopeless case against Germany,” said Hickersberger.

The countries have a historic rivalry and one certainty is that there will not be a repeat of the 1982 clash when they farcically ensured they would reach the next round of the World Cup.