Germany’s run up to the World Cup has been auspicious to say the least. Their play has been lackluster, uninspiring, unimaginative, and at times, downright atrocious. There offense has struggled to score, the defense has struggled to keep the other team from scoring. The look like a team that is just plain lost. The USA “B” team comprised of out-of-season MLSers, and a handful of euro-based players gave the mighty German 1st team all they could handle for about 75mins of the game. Unfortunately for the USA, Germany scored 4 goals in those 15mins.
So now, with the weight of an entire nation on their shoulders (Germany is hosting this years World Cup) their star playmaker and quite frankly in my opinion one of the best central midfielders in the world (when he’s not falling on the ground) is possibly out for the opening game.
Without Ballack, or even if Ballack isn’t 100% this will be a very tough game and tournament. In my mind, if Ballack doesn’t play today or plays poorly, they could easily loose to “los Ticos” of Costa Rica and therefore nearly seal and early exit from the tournament.