Thursday 05.02.08
Webteam: Nuremberg's coach Hans Meyer recently suggested the Bundesliga should get rid of the winter break. You're in a position where you can draw comparisons between England and Germany, what do you think about this question?
Exclusive interview with Michael Ballack, part 1
Webteam: Hello Michael! It's taken us quite a long time to get here from the airport. The traffic is insane! Have you gotten used to that by now?
Michael Ballack: Well, yes. You quickly learn to always take traffic jams into account, and then you leave home a lot earlier than normally necessary. But that's what it's like in a big city like this one. That comes with the turf.
Webteam: And driving on the left? Did that take some adjusting to?
Michael Ballack: Not at all, actually. They say you'll only have a problem once you get back to Germany and drive there, and that's also been my experience. As regards driving on the left, you have much more difficulties as a pedestrian here! It's so ingrained in us to first look left when crossing a street that changing this habit isn't easy. Over here, I take the first step, then I remember I should have checked the other side - and by that time the bus is already right in front of me!
Webteam: We've crossed almost the whole city today, from north to south. And we noticed how many quiet, almost rural areas there are.
Michael Ballack: That's true. There are very beautiful corners in the North and the North-West and down here, in South London, it isn't at all hectic, either. But that also goes to make up a big city - that it's got everything. There are a lot of parks even in central London, where you can find peace and quiet.
Webteam: Do you go looking for peace or do you prefer to have fun?
Michael Ballack: Both. The great thing about such a metropolis is that you can always go out. The cultural offers are immense. And you don't have to wait until the weekend to find something interesting. Over here, you could enjoy yourself every single day.
Webteam: And it's probably a lot easier for you to go out than it used to be the case in Germany.
Michael Ballack: No, you can't say that. Actually, it's not at all different from what it was like in Germany. That's precisely because London is such a cosmopolitan city. You'll meet people from all over the world wherever you go, and many of them know who I am and will recognise me after all.
Webteam: Do you have any time to explore the city? After all, you play a lot more games with Chelsea than you were used to from the Bundesliga.
Michael Ballack: Well, there aren't really that many more games, as I usually had two matches per week in Germany as well. And when I was injured, for instance, I had a lot less spare time than I have now. That's because under those circumstances you normally spend more time at the training ground than your team-mates. So the number of games isn't a problem, apart from the fact there is no winter break in England. That means the season is very long and you need to have a large squad. But we have that.
Webteam: Nuremberg's coach Hans Meyer recently suggested the Bundesliga should get rid of the winter break. You're in a position where you can draw comparisons between England and Germany, what do you think about this question?
Michael Ballack: I think the best solution would be to emulate the Spanish. That means having a brief break of ten to fourteen days. That would be ideal. I don't mind playing all through the season - but taking a short time off for christmas and New Year, this is something I'd welcome.
Webteam: As a professional in England, it's indeed impossible to spend that time of year with your family. For instance, what did you do on New Year's Eve?
Michael Ballack: We played Fulham on January, 1st. So I spent New Year's Eve in a hotel. At first I was unaccustomed to the fact seasonal family parties will have to be cancelled. But that's what it's like, you have to live with that.
(The second part of the conversation will be published tomorrow)
Source, Official Website of Michael Ballack:
http://www.michael-ballack.com/?103A0A2A100A0A9476
Source, Official Website of Michael Ballack:
http://www.michael-ballack.com/?103A0A2A100A0A9476
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