Michael Ballack admits Germany's international friendly with the United States in Dortmund will be "decisive for the team and the atmosphere in the country". Pressure is mounting on the three-time World Cup winners after a string of poor results, including a 4-1 defeat to Italy earlier this month. Some 80 days before the start of the tournament on home soil, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has come under fire for relying on an inexperienced back-line as well as his attacking philosophy.

Wednesday signals arguably the most important match of the Klinsmann era, and skipper Ballack insists it is time to deliver. He said: "The slaps in our faces following the Italy match were deserved and now it's time for us to show a reaction. It is essential to enter the World Cup preparations on a positive note and not to have everyone questioning our abilities all over again."