By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Ballack shows concern about the state of German football

Things are not going well for German football at the moment, says Michael Ballack.
Michael Ballack.
Michael Ballack.Photo: Soccer.ru/CC-by-SA 3.0
Former German international Michael Ballack admits he's concerned about the current state of German football.

Speaking to Sky after Bayern's Champions League exit to Liverpool on Wednesday, Ballack said:

"We crashed out of the World Cup early, have been relegated in the Nations League, and the Champions League ended in the round of 16 for all German sides. This is a hint that we're not doing everything right. There's no reason to sugarcoat things."

It's the first time since 2006 that there are no German clubs in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Borussia Dortmund were beaten by Tottenham while Schalke 04 were dumped out of the tournament by Manchester City.

Bundesliga news

Rumor Bayer 04 LeverkusenLeverkusen ready to offload six players in the summer
FC BayernHarry Kane says players are not being "listened to" over schedule concerns
FC BayernUpamecano faces long spell on the sidelines
FC BayernAlphonso Davies ruled out for months with serious knee injury
Rumor FC BayernBayern's striker shortlist revealed
Rumor MainzReport claims Burkardt has a release clause in his Mainz contract
Rumor Bayern & StuttgartBayern step up interest in Stuttgart striker
Rumor Bayer 04 LeverkusenWhen will Florian Wirtz return from injury?
Rumor Borussia DortmundDortmund star has undergone surgery
Rumor FC AugsburgRapid Wien intend to purchase Augsburg's Beljo
Rumor Bayer LeverkusenReport: Leverkusen set sights on AC Milan defender as Tah replacement
Rumor BundesligaMultiple German clubs interested in SSV Ulm loanee Keller
Bayern MunichReal Madrid star reveals he watches Bayern games

Table

Bundesliga

Regular Season

#TeamP
1 FC Bayern62
2 Leverkusen56
3 Mainz 0545
4 Frankfurt45
5 RB Leipzig42
6 Freiburg42
7 Gladbach40
8 Wolfsburg38
9 Augsburg38
10 Stuttgart37
11 Dortmund35
12 Bremen33
13 Union Berlin28
14 Hoffenheim26
15 St. Pauli25
16 Heidenheim19
17 Bochum18
18 Holstein Kiel17
View full table
Kickfieber

Match days

FC BayernBayern chief gives injury update on Davies
VfL BochumBochum hit by injury blow ahead of Leverkusen clash
Predicted lineups BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 27
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso discusses Schick-Boniface partnership
Team of the week BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 26
Post-match reaction VfB StuttgartHoeneß reflects on Stuttgart's "agonizing" loss to Leverkusen
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso on the Bundesliga's title race: "A lot can happen"
Post-match reaction Heidenheim, KielFrank Schmidt: “It was our most important game”
Match report Leverkusen, StuttgartLeverkusen break Stuttgart hearts in a familiar fashion
Match report HEIDENHEIM & KIELHeidenheim's spirits lifted following huge win vs Kiel
Post-match reaction BochumDieter Hecking: “We need to be more determined and consistent”
Post-match reaction Eintracht FrankfurtDino Toppmöller: “We fought against a lot of adversity”
DortmundSabitzer blow for BVB
Match report Frankfurt, BochumFrankfurt prevail in Bochum thanks to record-breaking teenager
Post-match reaction Bayern MunichEberl and Stanisic on Urbig's error: "Everyone has made mistakes in their career"
Post-match reaction FC AUGSBURGThorup reflects on 10-game unbeaten run
Other BORUSSIA DORTMUNDReports indicating that Marcel Sabitzer twisted knee in Leipzig defeat
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundSchlotterbeck: Champions League qualification "almost impossible" for Dortmund
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovac reacts to another Bundesliga defeat with Dortmund: "A disaster"
Match report RB Leipzig & Borussia DortmundDortmund rue missed chances as Leipzig move level with fourth-placed Frankfurt
Other VFL WOLFSBURGHasenhüttl and Grabara speak to the media following Augsburg defeat
Post-match reaction FC BayernVincent Kompany: "We're not happy with the result, but it wasn't a bad performance"
Match report Mainz & FreiburgFreiburg spoil Mainz birthday celebrations
Match report Werder Bremen & Borussia MönchengladbachGladbach up to sixth after away win
Match report Union Berlin & FC BayernLeague leaders stunned in the capital

German Teams in Europe

Post-match reaction German national teamGermany vs Italy: Player ratings
Other Bayer LeverkusenLeverkusen in the race for Laureus Sport award
Facts BUNDESLIGA IN EUROPEHow can the Bundesliga get an extra Champions League spot?
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundPascal Groß celebrates "really good team performance" against Lille
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundEmre Can: "I thought we were brilliant in the second half"
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundKovac hails "great team performance" after Lille win
Match report Borussia Dortmund Brilliant Beier blasts Borussia Dortmund into quarter-final berth
Preview UEFA Champions LeagueConfirmed Lineups: LOSC Lille vs. Borussia Dortmund
Eintracht Frankfurt"We want to advance to the next round" - Ansgar Knauff
Eintracht FrankfurtDino Toppmöller demands "focused and concentrated" performance against Ajax
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso on Leverkusen's Champions League exit: "We made too many mistakes"
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany praises "hungry" Bayern players after Champions League progress
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenHradecky reflects on Champions League exit: "Bayern were clearly the better team over two legs"
Post-match reaction FC BayernKane on beating Leverkusen 5-0 on aggregate: "Shows the type of team we are"
Post-match reaction FC BayernMusiala after hitting the woodwork twice: "I'm really annoyed about it, but we won"
Match report Leverkusen & BayernBayern march into quarter-finals after another win over Leverkusen
Leverkusen & BayernConfirmed lineups: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich
Borussia DortmundGuirassy and Kovac eager to "get back to being positive" ahead of Lille clash
Preview Eintracht FrankfurtEintracht Frankfurt vs. Ajax preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Predicted lineups Champions LeaguePredicted Champions League lineups: How all teams could line up for the last-16 second legs
Preview Lille & DortmundLille vs. Borussia Dortmund preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Leverkusen & BayernBayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany on Urbig's debut against Leverkusen: "There are easier games"
Post-match reaction FC BayernVincent Kompany reflects on Bayern's win over Leverkusen, gives update on Neuer's injury
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso: "A lot went against us, but that was our own fault"

DFB-Pokal

Leverkusen, Bielefeld, Leipzig, StuttgartPokal draw: Leverkusen play third-tier Bielefeld, Leipzig away at Stuttgart
Post-match reaction Leipzig & WolfsburgLeipzig's handball penalty against Wolfsburg sparks debate
Match report RB Leipzig & WolfsburgSesko penalty sees Leipzig book semi-final spot
RB Leipzig & WolfsburgConfirmed lineups: RB Leipzig vs VfL Wolfsburg, DFB-Pokal quarter final
Post-match reaction Werder BremenBittencourt lashes out at Köhn after cup defeat
Post-match reaction Werder BremenWerner reacts to Werder's shocking cup exit: "We missed out on a huge opportunity"
Match report DFB-Pokal Giant-killing continues as Bielefeld roll past Bremen into Pokal final-four
Preview Leipzig & WolfsburgRB Leipzig vs. Wolfsburg preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Bielefeld & WerderArminia Bielefeld vs Werder Bremen preview: Can Bielefeld keep their cup dream alive?
Post-match reaction Köln & LeverkusenKöln defender lashes out at "arrogant" Leverkusen after Pokal defeat
Match report BAYER LEVERKUSENBayer Leverkusen squeeze past Köln into Pokal semis
Bayer LeverkusenAlonso expresses excitement for derby
Match report VfB StuttgartStuttgart end losing streak to reach Pokal semis
DFB-PokalConfirmed lineups: VfB Stuttgart vs. FC Augsburg
Preview Bayer Leverkusen, FC KölnBayer Leverkusen vs FC Köln, DFB-Pokal quarter-final preview: Holders look to take control in derby
Preview VfB Stuttgart, AugsburgVfB Stuttgart vs. Augsburg, DFB-Pokal quarter-final preview: Season definer for Stuttgart
FC AugsburgThorup provides updates ahead of quarter-final
DFB-Pokal DFB-Pokal quarter-finals confirmed
Match report DFB POKALAugsburg squeeze past Karlsruhe in penalty shootout win
Match report DFB POKALRB Leipzig overcome poor form in win vs Frankfurt
Match report DFB POKALLjubicic penalty sees Köln past Hertha Berlin
Match report DFB POKALIn-form Wolfsburg dominant in win vs Hoffenheim
FC BayernKroos supports Neuer after red card: "Stop apologizing!"
Preview DFB POKALWolfsburg vs. Hoffenheim preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Bayer 04 LeverkusenXabi Alonso on Schick's injury: "It doesn't look good"

German National Team

Post-match reaction DFBGermany boss singles out Kleindienst for praise after Italy draw
Post-match reaction DFBNagelsmann reacts to Germany's wild 3-3 draw with Italy
Match report German national teamNationalelf secure Nations League semi-final place despite late drama
GermanyConfirmed Lineups: Germany vs. Italy
DFBNagelsmann confirms ter Stegen is still seen as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper
GermanyKleindienst certain to start against Italy
Other GermanyOliver Baumann: "I've always accepted every role”
Preview GermanyJulian Nagelsmann: “We want to write our own history”
Preview DFBGermany vs. Italy preview: Team news and predicted lineups
DFBVöller postpones decision on Germany future
Post-match reaction German National TeamGoretzka jubilant after comeback against Italy: "It feels nice to be back"
Post-match reaction German National Team"Happy with the win and the performance" - Kimmich reflects on victory in Milan
Post-match reaction German National TeamJulian Nagelsmann: "The team showed desire and did everything to win"
Post-match reaction German National TeamGermany player ratings against Italy
Match report German National TeamGoretzka guides Germany to first-leg comeback victory over Italy
Preview German National TeamConfirmed Lineups: Italy vs. Germany
DFBGoretzka earns praise from Nagelsmann amid reports he will start for Germany against Italy
DFBNagelsmann opens up about tight goalkeeping battle
German National TeamLina Magull retires from the Germany women's national team
DFB & AugsburgDahmen on standby for Germany
DFBItaly without star striker against Germany
FC Bayern & DFBBayern's Urbig withdraws from Germany U21 squad due to injury
Rumor DFBCould Neuer return to the German national team?
DFBWho will be in goal for Germany against Italy?
Stuttgart & DFBStuttgart star targets Germany call-up: "The 2026 World Cup is a goal of mine"

Long reads

Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWhat's going wrong with Werder Bremen?
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga European race: The full assessment
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and Andre Silva: A potentially sneaky important move
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 19
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenWerder Bremen and the potential curse of Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary SV Werder BremenWhy Werder Bremen have made a change at wingback
Analysis/Commentary BayernJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Bayern München
Analysis/Commentary Bayer 04 LeverkusenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Analysis/Commentary FC St. Pauli January 2025 Transfer Primer: FC St. Pauli
Analysis/Commentary SC FreiburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: SC Freiburg
Analysis/Commentary 1. FC HeidenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Heidenheim
Analysis/Commentary VfL BochumJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Bochum
Analysis/Commentary Union BerlinJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Union Berlin
Analysis/Commentary Eintracht FrankfurtJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Eintracht Frankfurt
Analysis/Commentary TSG 1899 HoffenheimJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Werder Bremen
Analysis/Commentary RB LeipzigJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: RB Leipzig
Analysis/Commentary Borussia MönchengladbachJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: Borussia Mönchengladbach
Analysis/Commentary VfL WolfsburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfL Wolfsburg
Analysis/Commentary FSV Mainz 05January 2025 Transfer Primer: FSV Mainz 05
Analysis/Commentary FC AugsburgJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: FC Augsburg
Analysis/Commentary Holstein Kiel January 2025 Transfer Primer: Holstein Kiel
Analysis/Commentary VfB StuttgartJanuary 2025 Transfer Primer: VfB Stuttgart
Analysis/Commentary Borussia Dortmund January 2025 Transfer Primer: Borussia Dortmund
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga team of the season so far

Exclusive interviews

Interview BundesligaEXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen talks Kane, Musiala, Sancho and looks back on famous hat-trick against Germany
Editor's pick Bundesliga & DFBEXCLUSIVE: Dietmar Hamann on the Bundesliga title fight, Der Klassiker and Nagelsmann's start as Germany coach
Editor's pick MainzEXCLUSIVE: Danny da Costa rules out future coaching job
Interview Bayer LeverkusenEXCLUSIVE: Edmond Tapsoba on England links, his role models and Leverkusen's struggles this season
Interview Bundesliga InterviewEXCLUSIVE: From infancy to Eisernen - An Interview with Union Berlin’s rising star Laurenz Dehl
Editor's pick LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview – part two: Leverkusen boss points out "problem" with German youth development
Editor's pick LeverkusenFernando Carro interview: Bayer Leverkusen CEO says Bundesliga rights are “sold under value”, questions 50+1 rule
Editor's pick Bayer 04 LeverkusenSimon Rolfes interview: Leverkusen boss on global scouting, Frimpong’s “fantastic” rise and more
Editor's pick WolfsburgEXCLUSIVE: Jonas Wind on Wolfsburg's poor start, Niko Kovac, his dream club and more
Editor's pick EXCLUSIVE: Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind gives injury update, shares thoughts on ...
Editor's pick DortmundEXCLUSIVE: Ex-BVB star and agent Niclas Jensen on life on and off the pitch and why Bielefeld's Bello is one to watch
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach's Joe Scally on first United States call-up and World Cup chances
Editor's pick GladbachEXCLUSIVE: Gladbach and USMNT defender Joe Scally on his rise to stardom and season so far

Team News