One third into the new season, it's a good time to look at who's who, who dunnit and who didn't. Here's this fall's list of Bundesliga movers and shakers.
It was a historic win of sorts -- Bayer Leverkusen had not won any of its last seven games against Spanish teams in Europe -- and remarkable in the most enigmatic of ways. After the 2-1 win over Valencia on Wednesday night, players and officials weren't quite sure whether they should revel in a rather sensational second-half comeback or be shocked about the opening 40 minutes, when the whole team had "disappeared into an abyss of horror," as Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote. Michael Ballack, a 35-year-old veteran who has been around the block a few times, declared that non-performance before the break "probably the worst I've been involved in as a footballer."
This Sunday marks the anniversary of an English game that changed German soccer forever. It wasn't just Kevin Prince Boateng's boot and Michael Ballack's ankle that collided on the Wembley pitch on May 15, 2010 but two worlds. On the one hand, you had the self-styled "Ghetto kid" Boateng (then playing for Portsmouth FC), a tattooed loudmouth who'd flopped at Spurs and Dortmund and controversially switched allegiance to the national team of Ghana, the country of his father. Chelsea midfielder Ballack, 33, was the man to guide Jogi Löw's young, inexperienced team to glory at the World Cup in South Africa, the talisman and undisputed leadership figure that German soccer so often loves to obsess about. He wasn't just the captain of the team: he was an icon. The one player of international stature that could be relied upon to deliver when it mattered.
Germany captain Michael Ballack has suffered a fractured left knee cap following a heavy challenge while playing for Bayer Leverkusen against Hanover on Saturday.
Soccer can be a cruel game sometimes. You can be the undisputed main man for your country's team and do exceptionally well over two years in the World Cup qualification games. But if you then miss the tournament through no fault of your own, chances are someone else will usurp your place during your injury layoff. And they might keep it, too.
Germany captain Michael Ballack enjoyed a dream return to the Bundesliga as his Bayer Leverkusen side claimed an impressive 2-0 victory at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
Former Germany captain and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has signed a two-year deal with his former club Bayer Leverkusen.
Midfield stars Michael Ballack and Joe Cole have been released on free transfers by English Premier League champions Chelsea after coming to the end of their contracts.
Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup after he picked up an ankle injury during Chelsea's FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth at Wembley.
updated: Mon May 17 2010 08:54:00
Germany captain Michael Ballack looks ahead to the 2010 World Cup where he aims to win at the third time of asking.
Germany captain Michael Ballack is used to the huge pressure soccer can bring after a long career competing for major honors on the domestic and international stage.
Germany captain Michael Ballack gave new Chelsea coach Carlos Ancelotti a boost on Tuesday when he signed up for another year at the Premier League Club.
Germany remain in firm control of World Cup qualifying Group Four after seeing off Wales 2-0 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
The Berlin Wall came down 20 years ago and in that time the world game has opened its arms to a tidal wave of talent from behind the former Iron Curtain.
Michael Ballack has been promised he will be the captain of Germany provided they reach next year's World Cup.
Chelsea's Premier League title bid suffered another injury blow on Friday as Germany captain Michael Ballack was forced to have foot surgery.
Germany will be missing captain Michael Ballack and fellow midfielder Torsten Frings for their opening two World Cup qualifying matches against Liechtenstein and Finland.
Germany captain Michael Ballack is a doubt for Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Spain because of a calf injury.
updated: Wed Jun 25 2008 06:48:00
Germany's Turkish population gears up for Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final. CNN's Diana Magnay reports.
Skipper Michael Ballack believes Turkey's mentality is the greatest threat to Germany's European Championship title ambitions going into tonight's semifinal in Basle.
Michael Ballack sent his new Chelsea manager packing from the European Championship finals as Germany clinched a semifinal berth with a dramatic 3-2 win over Portugal in Basel.
Michael Ballack booked Germany's place in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008 after his thunderbolt free-kick earned a 1-0 victory in a bad-tempered Group B clash against co-hosts Austria in Vienna.
Euro 2008 is upon us and all the talk about who will win and who will be the star of the tournament has begun. Everyone seems to have an opinion, so why can't I?
SI.com's Gabriele Marcotti is in Switzerland and Austria for the 2008 European Championship. Here's his primer for the tournament.
Chelsea made sure the Premier League title race will be decided on the final day of the season as second half goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda gave them 2-0 win at Newcastle on Monday.
Two goals from Michael Ballack, one a controversial late penalty, kept alive Chelsea's Premier League title hopes as they beat Manchester United 2-1 in a pulsating clash at Stamford Bridge.
Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard were on target as Chelsea reached the semifinals of the Champions League for the fourth time in five years with a 2-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge.
Colin Kazim-Richards led the fightback for Fenerbahce as they recovered from a 1-0 half-time deficit to stun Chelsea 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal at a hostile Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
For most teams, Michael Ballack would be their star player and arguably the first name on the teamsheet, yet, at Chelsea, the Germany captain is just one of a number of high-profile 'Galacticos'.
Germany's 3-0 win over Austria in Vienna on Wednesday probably told us more about the Euro 2008 co-hosts' weaknesses than the visitors' strengths, but the biggest positive of the night for German coach Joachim Loew was the return of national captain Michael Ballack after an 11-month injury-stricken absence.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has been named in the Germany squad for Wednesday night's friendly against Austria in Vienna -- and is set to make his first international appearance for almost a year.
Germany captain Michael Ballack hopes to stay at Chelsea for the rest of his career.
Injured Germany captain Michael Ballack has revealed he was disappointed to be left out of Chelsea's Champions League squad -- as reports link him with a transfer to Real Madrid.
Chelsea have insisted that they are not looking to transfer German international Michael Ballack, despite his exclusion from their squad for the group stages of the Champions League.
Michael Ballack said on Monday that he had no intention of leaving Chelsea following a report from Germany linking him to Spanish champions Real Madrid.
Last year, Michael Schumacher's numbers were positively Chamberlain-esque, a function of his longevity, ability and name recognition.
Germany coach Joachim Loew has decided to release eight senior players, including captain Michael Ballack, from his squad to face Denmark in a friendly on Wednesday.
German captain Michael Ballack says his team have only victory in mind ahead of Saturday's vital clash with fellow Euro 2008 Group D leaders Czech Republic in Prague.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien could be fit for Monday's FA Cup quarterfinal replay at Tottenham Hotspur, a game manager Jose Mourinho is confident of winning.
Germany midfielder Michael Ballack volleyed Chelsea into the Champions League quarterfinals in a stirring 2-1 comeback victory at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack said he does not know how serious his pulled thigh muscle is after being injured in Germany's 3-1 win over Switzerland on Wednesday.
Stand-in strikers Kevin Kuranyi and Mario Gomez led Germany to a 3-1 win over Switzerland in a friendly international on Wednesday.
Manchester United stayed three points clear in the Premier League after they beat Everton 3-0 while Michael Ballack steered champions Chelsea to a 1-0 win at Bolton on Wednesday.
The Cypriot Football Association is contemplating giving victory bonuses to its national side after a 1-1 draw with Germany in European Championship Group D qualifying on Wednesday.
Lukas Podolski was sent off for violent conduct as Germany warmed up for Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia with a 2-0 friendly win over Georgia in Rostock.
Chelsea hung on for a fiery 1-0 Premier League win over Liverpool, despite having Germany captain Michael Ballack sent off for stamping on Mohamed Sissoko in the 51st minute at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is unlikely to make his Premier League debut on Sunday against Manchester City, because he has failed to recover from a hip injury, manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday.
Chelsea defender William Gallas has lost his treasured number 13 shirt to new signing Michael Ballack after being accused of showing the club a lack of respect by manager Jose Mourinho.
Germany captain Michael Ballack and striker Miroslav Klose did not train with the rest of the German squad on Tuesday but a DFB spokesman said that neither player was injured.
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has said his captain Michael Ballack will be fit for Friday's quarterfinal clash against Argentina after overcoming a minor foot injury.
Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said he could not risk playing captain Michael Ballack in the World Cup opener against Costa Rica on Friday.
Miroslav Klose scored twice for Germany on his 28th birthday as they opened the World Cup finals in Munich with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Costa Rica.
Philipp Lahm and Miroslav Klose scored in the first 17 minutes as Germany made an impressive start to the opening game of the World Cup finals in Munich, but Paulo Wanchope was on target for Costa in an exciting opening half.
Midfielder Bernd Schneider led out Germany for the opening match of the 2006 World Cup finals in Munich, after coach Juergen Klinsmann omitted Michael Ballack, who had declared himself fit shortly before the match.
German preparations for their World Cup opener against Costa Rica were thrown into disarray after captain Michael Ballack told a newspaper that he was fit to play.
Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss Friday's World Cup opening match against Costa Rica because of a calf injury, coach Juergen Klinsmann told a news conference on Thursday.
Germany captain Michael Ballack is in danger of missing the World Cup curtain-raiser against Costa Rica on Friday after failing to complete a training session 48 hours before the game.
Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup warm-up match against Luxembourg on Saturday because of an ankle strain..
Germany captain Michael Ballack was forced out of a practice match in Switzerland on Thursday after suffering an ankle injury.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho plans to build his side around Michael Ballack after the Germany captain signed a three-year deal to play for English champions.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack will join the club for next season.
Michael Ballack may be headed for England with Chelsea but he left the Bayern fans with a final parting gift as his crucial opening goal against Arminia Bielefeld tightened their grip on the Bundesliga crown.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Germany captain Michael Ballack is still mulling over a move to the English champions.
Germany captain Michael Ballack is in advanced negotiations with Chelsea about a move to Stamford Bridge, his agent Michael Becker was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich will face a big test of their courage when they visit third-division side St. Pauli of Hamburg for their German cup semifinal on Wednesday.
Germany captain Michael Ballack will leave German league leaders Bayern Munich for Premier League champions Chelsea, Munich manager Uli Hoeness believes.
Germany produced a sparkling second-half performance to beat the United States 4-1 in a friendly in Dortmund and lift the gloom surrounding the World Cup hosts.
Bayern Munich admit that they have given up hope of keeping Germany captain Michael Ballack who looks headed for English champions Chelsea in the summer.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is waiting for German captain Michael Ballack to decide whether he will join the English champions at the end of the season.
Chelsea's interest in Michael Ballack is reciprocated by the Bayern Munich playmaker, Ballack's agent has confirmed.
Germany captain Michael Ballack has refuted a British newspaper claim on Tuesday that he has signed a four-year deal worth 25 million pounds ($43m) to join Chelsea next season.
Paolo Guerrero and Michael Ballack scored two goals apiece as Bayern Munich romped to a 5-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt and recorded their 11th Bundesliga home victory in 11 starts this season.
Andriy Shevchenko converted a penalty to give AC Milan a valuable 1-1 draw in Tuesday's Champions League first leg against Bayern Munich and wreck the German side's perfect home record.
Bayern Munich lost goalkeeper Oliver Kahn through injury but managed to snatch a late 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Hanover thanks to a Michael Ballack header a minute from time.
Roy Makaay and Michael Ballack gave Bayern Munich a 2-1 win at home to Nuremberg, sending the champions 10 points clear in the Bundesliga.
Roy Makaay scored twice and Michael Ballack added another to give Bayern Munich a 3-1 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach on their Bundesliga return.
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes Germany captain Michael Ballack will leave at the end of the season.
Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack will miss Saturday's Bundesliga match at Arminia Bielefeld because of a hamstring strain.
Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath expects Germany captain Michael Ballack to agree a new contract despite the club withdrawing their offer of a record-breaking extension.
Michael Ballack showed his immense worth to Bayern Munich again on Saturday, heading in 16 minutes from time to seal a 2-1 win away to Cologne and keep the champions two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich have crushed Duisburg 4-0 to storm back to the top of the Bundesliga table.
Germany will be without captain Michael Ballack again on Wednesday when they play China in Hamburg.
Bayern Munich stretched their Bundesliga winning streak to a record 14 matches as a Martin Demichelis header gave them a 1-0 home win over Hanover.
Bayern Munich equaled their own Bundesliga record of 13 consecutive victories with a 2-1 win at Nuremberg which kept them two points clear of Werder Bremen and SV Hamburg at the top of the table.
Germany showed great team spirit, fighting back from two goals down to hold the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw.
Michael Ballack drove in a stunning extra-time free kick to give 10-man Germany a 4-3 win over Mexico and third place in the Confederations Cup on Wednesday.
Host nation Germany survived a bout of first-night nerves to beat Australia 4-3 in a frantic Confederations Cup match in Group A in Frankfurt on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich took pole position in the race for the Bundesliga title by coming from behind to beat 10-man Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 while closest rivals Schalke 04 lost 3-0 at VfB Stuttgart on Saturday.
Depleted Germany ruthlessly swept aside Japan 3-0 on Thursday at the start of their three-game Asian tour to extend their unbeaten run under coach Juergen Klinsmann.
Bayern Munich swept to a 3-0 victory at home to Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart to reach the German Cup quarterfinals.
Bayern Munich's bid to avoid a third consecutive defeat this weekend has taken a knock after playmaker Michael Ballack as well as Brazilians Lucio and Ze Roberto had to withdraw from training.
Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack will take over from his club goalkeeper Oliver Kahn as captain of Germany in this week's friendly against Austria in Vienna.
Bayern Munich warmed up for the Bundesliga campaign by crushing Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the German League Cup semifinals on Wednesday.
Playmaker Michael Ballack is to replace goalkeeper Oliver Kahn as Bayern Munich captain, the Welt am Sonntag Sunday paper said.
Germany coach Rudi Voeller has told his players to finalize all transfer matters ahead of Wednesday's departure for the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.
Rudi Voeller has backed the players that helped Germany reach the 2002 World Cup final in his 22-man squad for the 2004 European championships in Portugal.
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