[size=6]Grella's Bastian of defence[/size]

10/06/2010 9:39 AM
Bren O'Brien in Johannesburg
Sportal

Chief Socceroos negator Vince Grella knows quelling the influence of German playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger in Australia's opening World Cup match on Sunday will be one of the biggest challenges of his career.

Grella has played on some of the world's best players and knows how hard it can be to stop a talisman like Schweinsteiger from having an influence on the game.

Australia's midfield enforcer respects the Bayern Munich man enormously and thinks that he can be the player to fill the shoes of injured German captain Michael Ballack.

"What a great player, what more to say. He's been playing at the top level for a long time now. He's moved positions, he started as more of a winger. Now he has moved into the middle of midfield," Grella said.