Patient Klose backs Gomez

Miroslav Klose is confident he will get his chance for Germany at some point during Euro 2012.

The prolific striker said he did not feel 100 percent fit ahead of Saturday’s game with Portugal and took the decision not to start the match alongside coach Joachim Loew.

“I had a long dialogue with the coach and we both decided this (that he would not start),” Klose was quoted as saying by Kicker.

Klose made a late cameo, replacing match-winner Mario Gomez with 10 minutes to play, but had little chance to impress as Germany closed out a 1-0 victory.

Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about his chance to shine, and fully supports his rival Gomez as Loew’s side aim for European glory.

“All I can do at this point is be patient and wait for my chance,” the Lazio frontman said.

“And that chance will definitely come at some point.

“I don’t feel any jealousy toward Gomez. That would be unacceptable. He is in superb form, and once again showed that (against Portugal).”

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, who was on the bench for the win over Paulo Bento’s side, said his substitute role would take some getting used to.

“This is a new situation for me,” he told reporters.

Germany face Netherlands in their second Group B game on Wednesday.