05 February,2011 12:40 PM IST | | AFP
Germany coach Joachim Loew confounded expectations yesterday when he left captain Michael Ballack out of his squad for the friendly against Italy on February 9.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ballack only returned to the Bundesliga last weekend following four months out injured. The 34-yearold will now have to wait until at least the end of Marchu00a0-- when Germany play a friendly against Australia Euro 2012 qualifier.
