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

FC AugsburgAugsburg boss confirms Vargas won't extend expiring contract
Rumor Transfer MarketStuttgart to sign Finkgräfe after dumping Krätzig?
Transfer Transfer MarketOfficial: Schwarz and NY Red Bulls pick up Choupo
Borussia DortmundRicken confirms Dortmund wanted to sign Wirtz in the past
FantasyFantasy Bundesliga tips: 10 players to consider for Matchday 15
Rumor RB LeipzigReport: Leipzig want to sign three players in January
Borussia Dortmund€50 million not enough to prize Gittens away from Dortmund, underlines Ricken
BundesligaPredicted Bundesliga lineups: Matchday 15
VfL BochumHecking reveals lighter incident has affected Drewes mentally
GladbachKleindienst discusses next step in his career and hopes of making Germany's World Cup squad
Rumor Eintracht & MainzBurkardt named as possible replacement for Marmoush at Frankfurt
Rumor Borussia DortmundDortmund show serious interest in Wanner, report claims
FC BayernMusiala opens up about contract talks: "I can't give the fans a Christmas present"

Table

Kickfieber

Match days

VfB StuttgartUndav and Leweling back in team training for Stuttgart
FC BayernKane targets injury comeback against Leipzig after returning to team training
Other Bochum & Union BerlinOfficial: Bochum file appeal to overturn Union result
Other VfL BochumBochum's Miyoshi receives two-match ban
Post-match reaction VfL WolfsburgSvanberg labels spectacular overhead kick the "most beautiful" goal of his career
Post-match reaction SC FreiburgKübler after second brace of the season: "Feeling extremely confident."
Post-match reaction RB Leipzig Rose explains Vandevoort start, praises Schlager, and looks ahead to Bayern
Post-match reaction Hoffenheim & DortmundBruun Larsen on subdued goal celebration: "BVB means a lot to me and my family."
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundSahin after Reyna's first goal in 19 months: "Gio can become important for us."
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundSchlotterbeck admits playing against Hoffenheim was an "extreme risk"
Team of the week BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 14
Post-match reaction Borussia DortmundSahin "angry and disappointed" after "very weak" Dortmund performance
Match report EINTRACHT FRANKFURT & RB LEIPZIGOpenda helps Leipzig in narrow win over Eintracht Frankfurt
Post-match reaction Mainz 05Henriksen on sensational Mainz win: "If you only defend against Bayern, you will die a slow death"
Match report St. Pauli & WerderClinical Werder punish St. Pauli at Millerntor
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenRolfes delighted to "put pressure on other clubs" as Leverkusen close in on Bayern
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany on Bayern's defeat to Mainz: "We weren't at our best"
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 14Unsightly Drewes incident leaves sour note in Bochum's stalemate with Union Berlin
Match report Bundesliga Matchday 1415:30 Kickoffs: Mainz stun Bayern, wins for Leverkusen and Gladbach, ugly scenes in Union-Bochum
Preview Borussia Dortmund, HoffenheimBorussia Dortmund vs Hoffenheim preview: BVB look to get back to winning ways at home
Preview Union Berlin, BochumUnion Berlin vs Bochum preview: Hosts look to bounce back
Borussia DortmundSahin says late call will be made on trio, gives update on Schlotterbeck
Bayer 04 LeverkusenLeverkusen to make late decision on Schick for Augsburg trip
FC BayernKompany hopes to have Kane and Davies back before Christmas
Preview Mainz, FC BayernMainz vs Bayern München preview: Formidable visitors look to repeat Pokal antics

German Teams in Europe

Match report Eintracht FrankfurtLyon overpower Frankfurt, Toppmöller ejected
Match report UEFA Europa LeagueA night of inaccuracies blights Hoffenheim in Steaua stalemate
Match report UEFA Conference LeagueFeeble start costs Heidenheim in Istanbul
Other Europa League Confirmed Lineups: Lyon vs. Frankfurt
Preview Europa League Olympique Lyon vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Europa League Hoffenheim vs. FCSB preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Conference League Başakşehir vs. Heidenheim preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Match report Borussia Dortmund Dortmund undone by Torres brace as Barcelona edge five-goal show
Match report VfB StuttgartStuttgart's European dream lives following historic performance
Preview UEFA Champions LeagueConfirmed lineups: Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona
Other VfB StuttgartConfirmed Lineups: Stuttgart vs. Young Boys Bern
Post-match reaction RB LeipzigBaumgartner reflects on Leipzig's Champions League exit: "Haven't been good enough to qualify"
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenAlonso sings Mukiele's praises after winner
Post-match reaction BayernKompany on Müller's banter: "My German sense of humor isn't totally there yet."
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany reacts to Bayern's win over Shakhtar
Match report RB LeipzigAston Villa decide RB Leipzig's European fate with latest defeat
Match report Bayer 04 LeverkusenLeverkusen battle to victory over Inter Milan as Mukiele nets dramatic winner
FC BayernConfirmed lineups: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Bayern Munich
Preview VfB StuttgartStuttgart vs. Young Boys preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview RB LeipzigRB Leipzig vs. Aston Villa preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Preview Bayer 04 LeverkusenBayer Leverkusen vs. Inter preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Other VfB StuttgartWehrle offers graphic details on treatment of Stuttgart supporters in Serbia
Preview FC BayernShakhtar Donetsk vs. Bayern Munich preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction 1. FC HeidenheimSchmidt on team's performance against Chelsea: "I can accept defeats like this."

DFB-Pokal

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"
Post-match reaction Bayer 04 LeverkusenTella all smiles after scoring Leverkusen's winner against Bayern
Post-match reaction FC BayernKompany disappointed after defeat to Leverkusen: "It's very, very bitter"
Post-match reaction FC BayernNeuer apologizes for "decisive" red card
Match report DfB PokalJung the hero as Bremen extinguish Darmstadt's Pokal dreams
Match report Bayern & LeverkusenNeuer sees red as Leverkusen dump Bayern out of DFB-Pokal
Match report DfB PokalThird tier Arminia Bielefeld stun Freiburg to advance into quarters
Match report DfB PokalStuttgart swat Regensburg aside to reach Pokal last-eight
Bayern & LeverkusenConfirmed lineups: Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Preview DFB POKALRB Leipzig vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Team news and predicted lineups
VfB StuttgartBredlow set for rare Stuttgart start
Leverkusen & BayernXabi Alonso explains why Kane's absence is not just an advantage for Leverkusen
Preview Bayern & LeverkusenBayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Team news and predicted lineups
FC BayernKompany gives fresh update on Kane injury, discusses possible replacements
Other Bayern & LeverkusenOfficial: Kane out for cup showdown with Leverkusen
Other RB LeipzigLeipzig confirm investigation into alleged Nazi salute in stadium
Other DFB PokalDFB-Pokal draw: Kane receives direct crack at Leverkusen, Leipzig host Frankfurt, Kohfeldt heads back to Bremen
Post-match reaction TSG 1899 HoffenheimTSG praise summer signings Chaves and Tabakovic after win: "We've stabilized."

German National Team

GladbachKleindienst discusses next step in his career and hopes of making Germany's World Cup squad
Werder BremenNjinmah open to playing for either Germany or Nigeria
Other Wolfsburg & DFBBaku takes the SEAL path: "Discipline is the bridge between goals and their realization."
Post-match reaction Dortmund & DFBBrandt credits DFB training work for set-piece stunner
DFBUEFA Nations League knockout stage and play-off draw: Germany learn opponents
Werder Bremen & DFBZetterer confirms contact with the German Football Association
Rumor DFBReport: DFB in talks with Nagelsmann over new contract
DFBCeltic star reveals dream of playing for Germany at the World Cup in 2026
DFBMusiala and Nagelsmann bemoan Wirtz's "stupid" yellow-card suspension
Post-match reaction DFBNagelsmann after Hungary draw: "I don't want to talk about the game"
Opinion DFBGermany player ratings against Hungary
Post-match reaction DFB Andrich after Hungary penalty draw: "Where should his hand go?"
Match report DFBGermany U21s conclude undefeated calendar year with draw in France
DFBConfirmed lineups: Hungary vs. Germany
DFBNagelsmann hints at starting spot for "world-class" Sané
DFBNagelsmann confirms plan to rotate heavily against Hungary
Preview DFBHungary vs. Germany preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Post-match reaction DFBNagelsmann and Kleindienst delighted after Bosnia-Herzegovina win
Post-match reaction DFBMusiala reacts to Germany's thumping of Bosnia-Herzegovina: "That was fun!"
Opinion DFBGermany player ratings against Bosnia-Herzegovina
Match report DFBUnstoppable Germany roll over Bosnia-Herzegovina to seal top spot
DFB Confirmed lineups: Germany vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Match report DFBGermany U21s now unbeaten in 12 after victory over Denmark in test fixture
DFBNagelsmann gives update on Wirtz and confirms goalkeeping decision
DFBKleindienst blown away by 'Wusiala': "Sometimes I don't think I'm a fantastic footballer"

Long reads

Editor's pick TSG HOFFENHEIMChristian Ilzer: A deep dive into Hoffenheim's likely next coach
Editor's pick FC BAYERNThe secrets behind Vincent Kompany's brilliant start as Bayern Munich's head coach
Analysis/Commentary Werder BremenThe world’s worst restart: Naby Keïta’s disastrous one-year spell at Werder Bremen
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 3
Analysis/Commentary VfL Bochum‘The Unrelegatables’: How Peter Zeidler’s tactics can secure VfL Bochum’s Bundesliga status
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against the Netherlands
Analysis/Commentary SC FreiburgSC Freiburg analysis – Perfect response and jubilant mood on opening day
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga Matchday 1"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 1 (New transfers edition)
Analysis/Commentary FantasyFantasy Bundesliga: A guide to the new rules for the 2024/25 season
Analysis/Commentary Bayer 04 LeverkusenHow Bayer Leverkusen could line up for the 2024/25 season
Analysis/Commentary FC BayernHow Bayern could line up for the 2024/25 season
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against Denmark
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against Switzerland
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against Hungary
Analysis/Commentary DFBGermany player ratings against Scotland
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaShould the Bundesliga relegation/promotion tie be scrapped?
Analysis/Commentary BundesligaBundesliga Team of the Season
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga "Tactics Talk"Bundesliga Tactics Talk: Round 34
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga Matchday 34"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 34
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga "Tactics Talk"Bundesliga Tactics Talk: Round 33
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 33
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga "Tactics Talk"Bundesliga Tactics Talk: Round 32
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga"Ones to watch" for Bundesliga Matchday 32
Analysis/Commentary Bundesliga "Tactics Talk"Bundesliga Tactics Talk: Round 31
Analysis/Commentary BayernBayern Munich player ratings against Real Madrid

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

Europa Conference League - Heidenheim - St. Gallen