Michael Ballack Back at Bayer Leverkusen

[Elano]

Michael Ballack will finally make his debut for Bayer Leverkusen as the German club entertains Ukrainian side Tavriya Simferopol in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, August 19.

The former Chelsea midfielder’s last match for the Blues was the 2010 FA Cup final against Portsmouth where he suffered an injury that ruled him out from the World Cup. Michael Ballack then opted to join Bayer Leverkusen after experiencing four season of English Premier League football at Stamford Bridge.

The 33-year-old was formerly a Bayer Leverkusen player between 1999 and 2002, scoring an average of 1 goal every 3 games in 79 appearances for the club. Michael Ballack is now determined to return to Germany’s national football team and take back his captaincy from Philipp Lahm who had to assume his role as the DFB Eleven won bronze in South Africa. Playing for Bayer Leverkusen should help in terms of performance as he tries to regain match fitness.

Following their fourth place finish in the German Bundesliga table last season, Bayer Leverkusen can be content with Europa League football this term. They will be playing Tavriya Simferopol on Thursday night after successfully trouncing FK Pirmasens 11-1 in the German Cup last weekend.

Michael Ballack had to seat out his side’s emphatic win, but he is expected to take the field as he makes his debut on his return to Bayer Leverkusen. Giving information about the player, Coach Jupp Heynckes stated:

"Michael has trained with us fully. He has no complaints and things look positive for him."