Ex-national player calls for playoffs

FC Bayern dominates the Bundesliga year after year – BVB wants to stop that. But Michael Ballack prefers a different solution and criticizes it.

Former national team captain Michael Ballack is campaigning for playoffs to increase the attractiveness of the Bundesliga. “I think playoff games create more excitement, we see that in America. It would be helpful to think about it, also in the interests of the fans,” said the 45-year-old in an interview with “Kicker” for the Bundesliga special.

In particular, he is keeping an eye on the dominance of FC Bayern Munich, who won their tenth championship title in a row last season. During his playing days, it was criticized that the Glasgow Rangers in Scotland won eleven titles in twelve years. “We said: We don’t want that kind of situation! Now we have it. So it would only be logical for me to think about improving attractiveness,” said Ballack.

Ballack: Dortmund is too harmless

At the same time, the former Bayern player criticized the harmlessness of Borussia Dortmund in particular. “The relationship between aspiration – becoming champion – and mentality – showing it every week – is not right,” said Ballack. BVB tend to get young players, many of whom didn’t make the step from talent to top player in terms of mentality.

“That’s why they sometimes lose against Hertha or Bochum – and against Munich. Bayern plays 80 percent of the season in third gear and wins the championship – that can’t be! Dortmund has to be ready to play every game in sixth gear,” said Ballack . He expects BVB to be at eye level in terms of mentality and concentration.

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