Michael Ballack made an impressive start to the season in the opening day game against Portsmouth yesterday – until a knock to his ankle saw him leave the field on 38 minutes. Ballack looked on good form, setting up Joe Cole’s opening goal with a sublime pass and he deservedly left the field to a standing ovation.
Following the game, Luiz Felipe Scolari was left hoping the German midfielder, who missed part of last season with an ankle problem, hasn’t done anything too serious. Scolari told Sky Sports “He played very well, but he had some thing with his ankle and it was impossible to continue.”
Ballack is now a doubt for Germany’s friendly against Belgium in midweek and may struggle to be fit for Chelsea’s game away to Wigan next week, with Scolari stating “Now, we have to send a letter and to discuss Ballack with (Oliver) Bierhoff and Joachim (Low), and the national team from Germany because it’s impossible for the doctor to say that it is a problem or not for the future. We hope that next Wednesday or next Sunday he’s in condition to play, bit I think it’s difficult.”
One things for sure, after his impressive start in the opening game, we’ll all want to see him back sooner rather than later.
Blue is the colour
