Germany Captain Ballack Criticizes Klinsmann's Tactics

German captain Michael Ballack has taken issue with coach Jürgen Klinsmann's tactics just eight days before the World Cup host's opening match against Costa Rica.

The new Chelsea signing told Thursday's Kicker magazine that Germany could not continue the way they played in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Japan.

"Jürgen Klinsmann has formulated a very young team the last two years and we are always making the same mistakes and we have the same problems in defense," Ballack said at a press conference on the eve of their final World Cup warm-up against Colombia.

"We have a very, very attacking style as we showed against Japan but we are losing too much possession. Against teams which will be very well prepared for the World Cup, like Costa Rica, Ecuador and Poland (Germany's Group A opponents), we should be concentrating on our defense."

Ballack, who had never publicly criticized Klinsmann before, added: "The coach knows what I think as well as what other players think. We have already spoken about this but it's up to him to make the final decisions."