Playmaker Ballack arrived having helped Bayer Leverkusen to the final of the Champions League in 2002. In his four years at Bayern he won three Bundesliga titles and three German Cups including two doubles in the past two seasons. However, supporters, disappointed with Ballack's decision to quit for Chelsea, jeered him during his last game for the club.
Germany could be shaky in defence. Left back Phillipp Lahm is the only player at the back at a top outfit and he has only just returned from injury. It will be up to any one of the contingent in the forward positions from either Bayern who ended the season as German champions, or Werder Bremen who were runners up, to shine in the absence of Ballack. Or will coach Jurgen Klinsmann earn all the credit for producing a decent all round team effort.
‘Cynics are suggesting that the players, like their coach, are merely guilty of Californian dreaming,' in their preparations, writes Matt Hughes in The Times. Seven of the German squad, including Ballack, spent Wednesday visiting a self-styled miracle guru, to undergo bioresonance therapy.
Today's opponents Costa Rica faced tough friendlies against Ukraine and the Czech Republic. They suffered successive defeats, without a goal in either.