Chelsea signing Michael Ballack has hit out at criticism over the way he handled the injury that keeps him out of today's World Cup opener for Germany.
The captain and playmaker suffered a strain to his right calf in a 3-0 warm-up win over Colombia on 2 June. German media have questioned why he did not receive treatment until the squad reassembled on Monday but Ballack stressed yesterday that the problem did not emerge until later.
"Contrary to all the speculation and reports, I was pain-free when I travelled home after the Colombia game," Ballack said in a statement released by the German Football Association. "I first felt a muscle problem on Sunday evening and immediately after arriving at the team hotel on Monday I was treated by the medical staff. "I completely reject all allegations this was handled unprofessionally. Such claims are an affront. It's almost a slur on my reputation."
Ballack, who sealed a move to Chelsea from Bayern Munich last month, has scored 31 goals in 65 games for Germany and his absence tonight is a major blow for the hosts.
"Of course we would have liked to have him in the team," said coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who is likely to replace Ballack with Werder Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski. "He's our captain and our leader. We'll leave him on the sidelines for this game and have him fit for the next one. It's annoying but not the end of the world."
Costa Rica have injury worries of their own as they kick-off their Group A campaign. Team doctor Gerardo Artavia said yesterday that goalkeeper Jose Francisco Porras, midfielder Mauricio Solis and defender Gilberto Martinez are all doubtful because of leg complaints.
"Until yesterday, we had a fully healthy team but after the training session those three players reported muscle pains, so we have to wait and see how they evolve," said Artavia, who said that a final decision on the players' availability will only be made hours before tonight's match at the Allianz Arena.
The captain and playmaker suffered a strain to his right calf in a 3-0 warm-up win over Colombia on 2 June. German media have questioned why he did not receive treatment until the squad reassembled on Monday but Ballack stressed yesterday that the problem did not emerge until later.
"Contrary to all the speculation and reports, I was pain-free when I travelled home after the Colombia game," Ballack said in a statement released by the German Football Association. "I first felt a muscle problem on Sunday evening and immediately after arriving at the team hotel on Monday I was treated by the medical staff. "I completely reject all allegations this was handled unprofessionally. Such claims are an affront. It's almost a slur on my reputation."
Ballack, who sealed a move to Chelsea from Bayern Munich last month, has scored 31 goals in 65 games for Germany and his absence tonight is a major blow for the hosts.
"Of course we would have liked to have him in the team," said coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who is likely to replace Ballack with Werder Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski. "He's our captain and our leader. We'll leave him on the sidelines for this game and have him fit for the next one. It's annoying but not the end of the world."
Costa Rica have injury worries of their own as they kick-off their Group A campaign. Team doctor Gerardo Artavia said yesterday that goalkeeper Jose Francisco Porras, midfielder Mauricio Solis and defender Gilberto Martinez are all doubtful because of leg complaints.
"Until yesterday, we had a fully healthy team but after the training session those three players reported muscle pains, so we have to wait and see how they evolve," said Artavia, who said that a final decision on the players' availability will only be made hours before tonight's match at the Allianz Arena.
