The German medical unit’s tireless battle to get midfield string-puller Bastian Schweinsteiger fit for action paid off – and so did restoring Miroslav Klose after suspension. The 32-year-old FCB striker opened the scoring for Germany against England in Bloemfontein, taking his tally to 50 international goals. He is now in line to earn his 100th cap in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Argentina. “I had a point to prove,” said Klose, a figure of great authority in the young Germany team alongside club-mate Schweinsteiger.
Despite the anxiety concerning his fitness, Schweinsteiger provided the ‘midfield engine’ Germany boss Joachim Löw had been hoping for. “Our tactics were good, and everyone did his job,” said the Munich player. He also superbly laid on the first of Thomas Müller’s two game-killing goals. “Naturally, that’ll make us confident for our next match,” Schweinsteiger commented.
Record within reach
After his dismissal for two bookable offences against Serbia, Klose had “suffered” as a spectator during his team’s tight 1-0 victory over Ghana, according to Löw. The striker wanted to make amends against England, the head coach continued: “He was really gutted about the sending off.”
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