Michael Ballack Photo: picture alliance / ZUMAPRESS.com
From BZ/dpa
According to Michael Ballack, Union Berlin can learn a lot from the Champions League.
“For Union, the first thing to do at this level is to take everything with you and absorb it in order to take the next step as a club,” said the former national team captain in an interview with “Kicker”.
Before the Iron Men’s premiere in the premier class on Wednesday (6.45 p.m./DAZN) against record winners Real Madrid, Ballack praised the leadership of the Bundesliga club. “There is a lot of calm in the club and a lot of things are being done right. Participation in the Champions League is the reward we deserve,” said the 46-year-old.
Ballack did not want to assess whether qualification for the Champions League would be possible for Union again, but the transfer of European champion Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus Turin commands respect for the 2002 World Cup runner-up. “This shows that there are people at work at Union who can inspire,” he said.
However, Ballack is critical of Union’s move to the much larger Olympic Stadium for the three home games. “As a footballer, my heart bleeds,” said the former Bayern professional. As a player you have to accept this business decision. In addition to Real Madrid, Union Berlin will also play against SSC Napoli and Sporting Braga in Group C. By finishing fourth in the last Bundesliga season, the Iron Men qualified for the premier class for the first time.