Klose rewarded for perseverance and belief

Goal-getter Miroslav Klose versus keeper Roman Weidenfeller was once a daily contest on the Kaiserslautern training ground. Six-and-a-half years later, the duel resumed at the Allianz Arena. “It was fantastic against Miro. We’re actually very good friends too,” Weidenfeller commented after Sunday’s match. However, Klose was the one with something to celebrate.

Until late in the game, Dortmund shot-stopper Weidenfeller looked as though he would emerge triumphant, after making no fewer than five outstanding saves from his former team-mate alone, two from headers and three in one-on-one situations. Klose finished with ten shots at goal, more than any other player on the park, but only the last two found the back of the net.

On 87 minutes, the Munich man pounced on a loose ball and fired home through Weidenfeller’s legs to make the score 2-1, before tapping home in stoppage time to round off the scoring. Klose marked his success with a trademark forward aerial somersault, before praising his mate on a fine individual performance: “Roman showed what a great goalkeeper he is.”