Klose Set To Emulate Paulo Rossi in World Cup Finals

Back in 1982 if you had claimed that Paolo Rossi would lead his native Azzurri to a world cup crown you would surely have been laughed out of town.

Just five weeks prior to that sunny Spanish tournament, he had just completed a two year ban for match fixing (something which he still vehemently denies) and was completely without match fitness.

The first three matches of that tournament seemed to back up the theory that he and his Italian teammates were only there to make up the numbers. Three matches, three draws and two goals for the Italians (none by Rossi) was barely enough to get them through the group.

However in the next group stage he caught fire, the now famous three goals against Brazil in a match which can surely go down as a classic, was followed by another two against Poland in the semi finals and a goal against West Germany in the final, brought Italy the World Cup and Paolo the top scorer award.

Fast forward to 2010 and there are similarities with Klose. So much out of form at Bayern this season, there were many believing that perhaps he shouldn't even go to the World cup. He and his club and international teammate Mario Gomez were failing to adapt to the new tactics at Bayern employed by Louis Van Gaal. 

Meanwhile Kevin Kuranyi was having an exceptional season for Schalke and there were many calling for national coach Low to put past personal issues with Kuranyi aside and pick him. However Low stuck with Klose and he is reaping the benefits of loyalty.

Two goals scored against Argentina in his one hundredth cap brought his national tally up to an incredible fifty two. He is now just one goal away from equalling Ronaldo's record of fifteen goals scored in world cup finals.

Even if he doesn't reach that record or help Germany to another world cup, there can be no doubt that Miroslav Klose has certainly silenced his critics.