Michael Ballack interview on Bayern vs. Leverkusen: 'A clash on an equal footing'

Michael Ballack was regarded as one of the best goalscoring midfielders of his generation in Europe. Among other clubs, he made 155 appearances (42) goals for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 157 appearances (62 goals) for FC Bayern during his career. He made up for missed titles with the Werkself in Munich, where he won three league and cup doubles. The 48-year-old played against both current coaches Xabi Alonso ("A calm anchor, always a fair player") and Vincent Kompany ("his physical presence was enormous") – now he's analysing the meeting between the two teams in the Champions League round of 16 as a TV pundit. An interview on favourites, tactical games and the appeal of national clashes.

Michael Ballack interview

For the first time since 2013, there's an all-German meeting in the Champions League. Is the anticipation building already?
"It's getting to the business end now in the knockout phase. Mistakes won't be forgiven because they could mean elimination. In terms of attractiveness, it's obviously special when two German teams come up against each other. I'm particularly looking forward to being able to follow and analyse the match up close. It's exciting to observe the development of both sides – both Bayern and Leverkusen."

As a DAZN pundit you have to be neutral – or are you secretly rooting for one of the teams?
"I get asked that question a lot! (laughs) I really am neutral – and not just because my job requires it. I played for both clubs and had a great time with both. I have a good relationship with all my former clubs and so I take a very relaxed view."

Regardless of personal preferences, who are your favourites? Bayern have failed to win the last six meetings with Leverkusen.
"For me there are no clear favourites. A lot of people are backing Leverkusen but in my eyes, Bayern are never underdogs – no matter what form they're in. The last few weeks haven't gone perfectly, which is why public opinion has shifted slightly, but Bayern have put a lot of things right again recently with the wins against Frankfurt and at Stuttgart."

Thomas Müller was happy to let Leverkusen have the favourites' tag.
"Thomas said that tongue in cheek, but the players know exactly what it's about. I know the club and know what happens in the team and in the club before such important matches. These games cause a special tension in players. Anyway, it's not about who the favourites are – that's not interesting at all. This discussion just brings unnecessary pressure and high expectation."

Indeed, which they don't really want in Leverkusen either.
"Both clubs have big ambitions to progress. With Leverkusen it's intriguing because that expectation wasn't as clearly framed in the past – especially not against Bayern or the absolute top European teams. Leverkusen have steadied themselves massively with the double win last year. It wasn't necessarily to be expected that they finish in the top eight of the league phase, but they did it well and are having a very good season again now."

These will be the fourth and fifth meetings between the two clubs this season – they certainly know each other. What will be key in the end?
"It will come down to little details. A very important factor will obviously be how fresh the teams are going into it. I hope they can both put their best teams out so that we see an absolutely top-quality match."

Tactics have been a big part of the last two encounters, with Xabi Alonso playing without a real striker. What do you expect this time?
"Yes, there's a bit of history to this fixture. Last season, both Thomas Tuchel and Xabi Alonso switched from four to three in defence. Alonso has shown that he's willing to leave out a striker in order to make tactical adjustments. That could be a factor again now. Vincent Kompany, on the other hand, has consistently set up his team in the same formation all season, so I don't expect major changes there. The format is also a factor. In the first leg in particular, Leverkusen probably won't go all-out attack as they still have a chance in the second leg. That kind of cautious approach is typical for knockout matches in the Champions League."

At some point, though, both teams will have to open up, won't they?
"Not necessarily. Both teams have great respect for each other, as the previous clashes have demonstrated. I just hope it doesn't turn into an attritional game and the teams play too cautiously. That would be a shame for a fixture of this class. In the recent encounters, Leverkusen were very cautious in one and then it was Bayern who weren't able to make much happen. It would be surprising if the game suddenly took on a completely different dynamic."

So will it come down to the exceptional players who can break the tactical shackles with a special moment?
"Especially at this high level, close games are often decided by individual class. And in this contest, there are players on both sides who can make the difference. They are therefore under particularly high pressure and expectations.“

You played in one all-German Champions League tie yourself in your career: with Kaiserslautern against Bayern in the quarter-finals in 1999.
"We got knocked out then."

FCB won 6-0 on aggregate. It presumably won't be so one-sided this time?
"The circumstances were quite different back then. Although we'd won the league as a promoted team, Bayern were the clear favourites. Kaiserslautern didn't have the experience to be able to hold their own in a knockout match like that. That was ultimately reflected in the scoreline. Leverkusen are in a completely different position today and have established themselves in Europe. Last year they got to the Europa League final and now they've made it through as one of the top eight in the Champions League. Leverkusen are on an equal footing with Bayern."

You played in other national clashes on the European stages in your career. In the 2007/08 season, your Chelsea team knocked out Liverpool and then unluckily lost to Manchester United in the final. Would you have preferred different opponents as a player, or did you just want to play against the best? 
"It's not about what you want. You take it as it comes. Sometimes you have a difficult path, sometimes it might feel a bit easier, but in the end that doesn't play a role. When you look back in a few years and you're a Champions League winner, it doesn't interest you who you played against."

Coming back to Leverkusen: the team with which you reached the Champions League final in 2002 has long been regarded as the best Bayer side of all time. How does it compare to the current generation?
"They've become champions and won the double – that's absolutely outstanding in the history of the club. So, this team represents something very special. Of course, we also had an outstanding team with great players, who made their mark not just at Leverkusen but later at other top clubs too. But we had it in our own hands and missed out on the crown – not just through bad luck but also through our own inability at times. The current team has managed to win trophies. And the most important thing is that the club has managed to keep the team together as much as possible and even strengthen it in certain places. That is a clear signal: they want to play at the top level in the long term and also compete with Bayern at national level. That wasn't always the case in Leverkusen."

Let's try a thought experiment: what if you could put together a combined XI of the two generations?
"I guess there would have to be a place for Florian Wirtz – he's just far too good. It's difficult to assess it objectively, though, because I played and trained with the 2002 team. You see certain things differently than a fan, who can only judge the performances on matchday. But what I would say is that six or seven players from our team at that time would comfortably fit into this team today."

Including Michael Ballack?
"Of course! (laughs)"

Michael Ballack will analyse the last-16 first leg as a pundit for DAZN. | Advert