Friday, March 6, 2009

Ballack hails 'charismatic' Hiddink

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Chelsea FC midfielder Michael Ballack has praised manager Guus Hiddink as the club begin to contemplate next week's UEFA Champions League first knockout round decider at Juventus, having established a 1-0 lead in the tie just four days after the Dutchman took over.

Charismatic character
Hiddink was installed as Chelsea boss last month following Luiz Felipe Scolari's dismissal and secured a crucial 1-0 win at Aston Villa FC in the Premier League before repeating the feat against the Bianconeri at Stamford Bridge. "He spoke a lot with the players," Ballack said when asked how Hiddink used the little time he had to work with the squad. "He has a real charisma and a big personality; he does not need a lot of words. He organised us really well. It is always difficult to take over a team in the middle of a season. We have many good leaders on the pitch and we have got good results so he is very happy."

Defensive retreat
Didier Drogba's strike on 12 minutes proved enough to give Chelsea a narrow lead ahead of the return leg at the Stadio Olimpico, but Ballack says he was disappointed that the Blues did not push on following their early breakthrough. "We thought the early goal would do us good but strangely that wasn't the case," the German international said. "We dropped back too much and let them control the game, even if we did not give them too many chances. Overall, we did not do enough to score a second goal, but the most important thing is that we did not concede."

Turin fortress
Chelsea, who secured another 1-0 win against Portsmouth FC on Tuesday having beaten Wigan Athletic FC 2-1 at the weekend, now face a tricky trip to Turin next Tuesday knowing Juventus have not lost there in the UEFA Champions League since 9 March 2004. They have won eleven and drawn four of their subsequent 15 games since a 1-0 defeat by RC Deportivo La Coruña at this stage of the competition five years ago, but Ballack insists that he is content with a one-goal advantage. "We are happy with the result and I think it is a good starting point for us," the 32-year-old said. "It will be another tough game for us. Juventus will give everything to win at home but an away goal would make a big difference, so we will go there with our heads up. But, again, it will be a tough match."

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