Michael Ballack Hails Chelsea's Unity And Professionalism

Blues fight for the shirt and for each other...

By Zack Wilson

Michael Ballack, Chelsea (Getty Images)
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack believes that the strong collective loyalty and work ethic at Stamford Bridge is the reason that the Blues now top the Premier League table.

Carlo Ancelotti's men looked typically ruthless and efficient in beating Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates on Sunday, and Ballack is feeling confident ahead of Wednesday's testing trip to Everton.

"We are a good team and it's great to play in a team like this," the German told the Blues' official website.

"Everyone fights for everyone, there is some good experience and we have played together for a few years.

"We play for Chelsea, that's our job, and that's why we have to win games and that's what we have to do now.

"The team are confident, settled and it's important to win, even in difficult situations."

And Ballack feels that ruthlessness rather than an appealing style is what matters now as we head towards the business end of the season.

"We knew the way they [Arsenal] would play. It's always a little bit of the same style and if you know the tactics, you can beat them," he added.

"Football is not about possession or playing a nice passing game. Football is about winning games.

"We had to win and that's why we showed we deserved to stay in first position at this moment."

Meanwhile, Ballack also feels that striker Didier Drogba is currently showing why he is a unique talent in world football at the moment.

"He is a very individual type of player. He is different from [Wayne] Rooney or [Andrey] Arshavin," the German explained.

"He is unbelievable, with physical strength and technical ability. He's a striker but also a freekick taker. In fact, he is a striker with a lot of other qualities. Not many players have this.

"You see in the big games like Arsenal, he was there. That is why he is a big player."

Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
7 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Live!
Champions League LIVE!
Join Goal.com for all the Champions League action as we bring you the latest team news, press conferences and analysis. Contact us on Twitter @goal_intl with any questions...

Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.

We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!

Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.

From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!

2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.

Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:

"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.

"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.

"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."

Full story HERE


2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.

“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.

(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)

“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.

“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.


Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.

“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.

“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”


2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.

"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."

Inside Goal.Com
  1. Champions League Player Ratings: AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal Champions League Player Ratings: AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal

    Goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic handed the Italian side a victory that all but seals their progression to the next round of the competition

  2. Champions League Player Ratings: Zenit 3-2 Benfica Champions League Player Ratings: Zenit 3-2 Benfica

    Goal.com casts a studious eye over the performers at the Petrovsky Stadium as a late goal settles a thriller in the Russian's favour and sets up enthralling second leg

  3. Serie A Player Ratings: Parma 0-0 Juventus Serie A Player Ratings: Parma 0-0 Juventus

    The Bianconeri missed a great chance to go back to the top of Serie A, but they caused the home side plenty of problems thanks mainly to Andrea Pirlo

  4. Messi breaks Champions League knockout record Messi breaks Champions League knockout record

    The Argentine, still only 24, is level with current record holders Raul and Andriy Shevchenko, but can surpass the two European greats with a solitary strike at Leverkusen tonight

  5. Should 'Vanishing Spray' be introduced globally? Should 'Vanishing Spray' be introduced globally?

    The spray, which has been designed to stop defensive walls from encroaching closer than 10 yards to the ball at free-kicks, is set to be discussed at next month's IFAB meeting

 
Advertisement
Advertisement