Bayern Munich playmaker Michael Ballack is in confident mood ahead of the much anticipated Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
Tonight’s tie offers an opportunity to revive what has been a mixed season for the Bundesliga champions and Ballack is convinced Bayern can pull off a surprise.s
“Of course we can beat Madrid,” Ballack told the official UEFA site.
“I think we can beat every team, even though Madrid are a huge name. They have some great players in the side and they are the favourites in every game, but they can lose.”
“Madrid have so many good players in their ranks like Beckham, Figo, Ronaldo, Raul – they are all world-class players and Zidane is also one of them.”
“I have never played directly against him *Zidane),” he added.
“We play different positions and I do not think we will meet too often on the pitch.”
Ballack has often been compared to Franz Beckenbauer the man who led Bayern to a hat-trick of European success between 1974-76.
“I rarely saw him play, but obviously it is nice to hear,” Ballack said.
“He is a huge personality in German football, but I still try to play in my own style. However, it is nice to be compared to him.”
