Michael Ballack's Return to Form!

Former German international Michael Ballack last night played his 100th European continental cup match (Champions League, Europa League/UEFA Cup) as the captain of Bayer 04 Leverkusen against his former club FC Chelsea, which the Germans went on to win 2-1 through a 90th minute goal. A great achievement for the club and a very special night for Ballack. First it was a win, then against his former club and finally Bayer 04 also qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Things have really turned around for Michael Ballack in the last few weeks. About three months back at the start of the Bundesliga season there was talk of Leverkusen considering to release Ballack ( Could Ballack be leaving Leverkusen? ) as new coach Robin Dutt didn't see Ballack as a key player in his squad with younger, fitter players ahead of the ex-Germany captain.

But over the last few weeks Ballack has won his place back in the starting eleven, not as one of the double six's as initially planned, but as the central No. 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It is a position Ballack has played in the past, which had earned him the title of being the most dangerous midfielder with goalscoring abilities.

It went even to the extend that Ballack has been playing in recent weeks with a special mask due to a broken nose, which he broke on October 29 in Freiburg after scoring the winner early on. Since then coach Robin Dutt has made Ballack even captain, showing the importance of the seasoned pro for the team. In the meantime Ballack has been critical of his young team mates about not having a winning mentality and the need to focus more. It sounds the old Capitano is back!

It makes me happy to see Ballack back in the thick of action, then he has been the flag bearer of German football when there weren't so many talented and gifted players around. And Leverkusen can need an inform Ballack to push for a good finish in the Bundesliga.