Ballack has been a key figure in stabilising Germany's suspect defence -- they have kept three consecutive clean sheets -- and he feels the hosts can now send Argentina packing.

"We are not afraid of Argentina. Our performances show we should not be afraid of anyone," Ballack said at Wednesday's press conference.

"We really believe we can win the title. We have not had confidence like this for a long time."

Argentina forward Javier Saviola said his team had a 60-40 chance of going through but Ballack disagreed.

"I see it exactly the same way -- but in Germany's favour. We are not outsiders and not content just to play well against Argentina," said the new Chelsea man.

"We want to progress and I would say it is 60-40 for us.

"We are meeting a terrific opponent and they deserve the utmost respect but we have to look at our game not theirs."

Argentina's brilliant playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme is regarded as the danger man but Ballack said the Villareal star would not be man-marked.

"The coach has talked about a few players but I do not think we will man-mark Riquelme," the 29-year-old said.

"We have to play our game and not focus too much on the opponents."

Argentina will certainly watch out for Ballack who has scored 31 goals from midfield at a ratio of almost one every two games.

He has yet to score at these finals - although he hit the post in the 2-0 second round win over Sweden - but is not concerned with personal targets.

"I had a lot of shots against Sweden but unfortunately none went in. I am not thinking of scoring. I just want the team to do well." Ballack explained.

The former Bayer Leverkusen player, who missed the 2002 World Cup final through suspension, was forced to sit out Tuesday's training session with a swollen ankle but says he is fully fit for Argentina.

"It was just a knock but I am okay now," Ballack said.

Ballack missed the opening 4-2 win over Costa Rica with a calf injury as manager Jurgen Klinsmann ignored his pleas to play.

There had been suggestions of a bust-up between the pair over the incident but Ballack said everything was fine.

"I have a great relationship with the coach. He showed faith in me straight away by naming me captain," said the ex Bayern Munich star.

"He is not long out of football himself. He talks a lot with the players and the coach is close to me and the rest of the team."

In August 2004 Klinsmann stripped goalkeeper Oliver Kahn of the captaincy and gave Ballack the armband.

Klinsmann says Ballack has developed through the responsibility of being captain and become a real leader for Germany.

"In two years Michael has helped the team enormously. He is a leader on and off the pitch," Klinsmann said.

"He has really developed over the past two years and there is a lot more to come."