Munich: Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said he could not risk playing captain Michael Ballack in the World Cup opener against Costa Rica on Friday and potentially lose him for more matches during the tournament.
Klinsmann, who opted not to use the German captain despite Ballack's insisted that he was fully fit after a calf strain, said it would have been irresponsible to start with him.
"This was a normal decision. He said he was ready but the decision rests with the coaches," Klinsmann said after they started the campaign with an exciting 4-2 win.
"We'd never have taken such a risk," he added after Ballack, who has struggled all week with what has become known as "the country's calf", declared himself fit on the eve of the match.
Asked if he was upset with Ballack, Germany's most creative midfield force, Klinsmann said: "No. There is no problem with a player saying he wants to play. We want our players to be burning, to be hot to compete."
"We did a scan yesterday and we saw some problem with the calf. There was also a doctor's warning it could get worse if he played. We have a responsibility for the player's health and it would have been irresponsible if we had let him play."
Ballack, who missed the 2002 World Cup final loss to Brazil through suspension, looked happy enough on the bench and jumped in the air with arms outstretched and a big smile when Germany scored.
He said he knew he had to accept Klinsmann's decision.
"I'd like to have played but it wasn't to be but I'm pleased the team played so well," said Ballack. I didn't have any pain so when a journalist asked how I was I answered that was all."
"But at the end of the day the coach has to decide with the doctor and they said they risk was too big, you could get a worse injury, and I had to accept that."
"I hope we'll have many more games and I'm looking forward to the Poland game and I'm preparing for that."
Klinsmann also looked towards Ballack's return for their next Group A match against the Poles in Dortmund on Wednesday saying: "We are happy for him to play against Poland."
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