Faltering Atlético do not fool Ballack

Michael Ballack is confident Chelsea FC will not be lulled into a false sense of security by a Club Atlético de Madrid side with just one victory to their name all season when they meet in UEFA Champions League Group D.

Domestic troubles
Fourth-place finishers in 2008/09, Atlético are struggling in 15th in the Liga table after their third domestic defeat of the campaign on Sunday, a 3-0 loss at CA Osasuna. While that may have left Los Colchoneros stuck on six points from their opening seven league matches – their worst top-flight start in 15 years – Ballack is adamant Chelsea's focus on claiming a third win in the section will not be diverted by their opponents' travails, describing the encounter at Stamford Bridge as a "dangerous" fixture.

Self-belief
"Everyone knows what they have to do tomorrow but it is a dangerous match because Atlético haven't started well and so everybody expects us to win," said the 33-year-old German international. "That's the danger of this game so we have to be aware of the situation, but we're an experienced and strong team. The past has shown that we always play well and reach, as a minimum, the semi-finals. We believe in ourselves and that's what we have to do tomorrow again."

Headed goals
Chelsea are not without their own worries following a second successive away defeat in the Premier League. The Blues lost 2-1 at Aston Villa FC on Saturday to a pair of headed goals from centre-backs at corners and Ballack, who missed the game due to an ankle injury, knows he and his team-mates must tighten up defensively. "Everyone has to improve their movement and organisation in the box," he continued. "It's a point of personal attitude, not wanting to concede a goal. You can train a lot but if somebody sleeps at a set-piece situation, you concede, so everyone has to be aware."

Television replays
The Villa goals and other teams' vulnerability from set-pieces have become a point of discussion in the English media over the last few days. Ballack, however, is not overly concerned by his side's failings and is eager to get back to their winning ways. "We've watched the TV at Cobham [the club's training ground] and it was on all day so everyone could see the mistakes, and who made them, but that's football – somebody has to make a mistake," added Ballack. "It happened once and hopefully it won't happen again. We must focus on our strength, which is playing good football and winning games."