Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack is happy to be going back to Champions League opponents Chelsea this week.
Ballack, who turns 35 later this month and left Chelsea in the summer of 2010, has played two of Leverkusen's five league games this season that have taken them to fourth in the table, including an hour of their win on Friday. Whether he starts or not, he will receive a presentation from Chelsea before the game.
"When I first saw the draw I was really happy for me personally and for the club," Ballack told chelseafc.com.
"For me personally it is a very big, very important match, but also for the club it was a very nice draw. I played at Chelsea for four years and it is very nice to be back in London for the first game in the Champions League.
"The presentation is a very nice gesture and it will be a very emotional moment for me tomorrow. There are still a few players there and some who left in the meantime who I am still friends with and whom I am still in touch with, and also a few of the staff.
"When I moved to Chelsea it was a big, big challenge and experience for me at the time to play with so many good players. If I look back I had a very good time. I feel always welcomed by the fans and the club. They treat me always very well and we had success.
"It could have been a few titles more,' he notes, 'we missed a few chances, but we had some successes and I will remember this always and it is a big part of my career."
