Ballack backs Klinsmann over Woerns exclusion

Germany captain Michael Ballack yesterday defended a decision by coach Juergen Klinsmann to exclude outspoken defender Christian Woerns from the host nation's World Cup plans.

Woerns, who has 66 caps in a 12-year career for Germany, had questioned some management decisions, behaviour which Klinsmann labelled "cheeky and disrespectful".

Woerns hit back by saying the coach was "underhand and dishonest".

"I value Christian as a player and as a person and I can understand his disappointment," Ballack said. "But his reaction was too harsh - the trainer cannot accept that."

Against Italy tomorrow, Germany are going for a first win over a top international side since they beat England at Wembley in 2000. Klinsmann said he had discussed the exclusion of Woerns with the squad and they had understood his decision.

Klinsmann's ejection of Woerns recalled his sacking of goalkeeping coach Sepp Maier in 2004 after he ignored a warning to stop publicly challenging management authority.

The former international striker has picked younger and more attack-minded defenders in the last 18 months and hinted that Woerns's classic defensive style did not fit his philosophy.