Ballack out of Italy friendly

Germany coach Joachim Loew confounded expectations yesterday when he left captain Michael Ballack out of his squad for the friendly against Italy on February 9. Bayer Leverkusen’s Ballack, who has 98 caps, only returned to the Bundesliga last weekend...

Germany coach Joachim Loew confounded expectations yesterday when he left captain Michael Ballack out of his squad for the friendly against Italy on February 9.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Ballack, who has 98 caps, only returned to the Bundesliga last weekend following four months out after he suffered a fractured left leg in September.

Ballack made his last appearance for Germany in March 2010 and missed last year’s World Cup after damaging ankle ligaments last May.

The 34-year-old will now have to wait until at least the end of March – when Germany play a friendly against Australia and a Euro 2012 qualifier – before returning to the international fold.

Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm is expected to take over the captaincy against the Italians.

Loew has called up five players from Borussia Dortmund, namely Mario Goetze, Mats Hummels, Ke-vin Grosskreutz, Marcel Schmelzer and the uncapped Sven Bender.

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