Regardless of whatever league one follows, two football names are certainly ones that any serious football fan is well aware of: Gianluigi Buffon and Miroslav Klose. The iconic goalkeeper and the talismanic striker will again take to the pitch tomorrow as Juventus and Lazio clash in this season's Coppa Italia. For the Biancocelesti, winning this trophy would be a perfect conclusion to what has been nothing short of an impressive season for the capital club.
Meanwhile, for the Bianconceri, a victory would not only be their first in two decades but more important, it would be part two completed as they seek to secure what would be a historic treble for the club and only the second in Serie A history.
Whilst Lazio and Juventus have not met at this stage since the 2004 edition, it will not be an unfamiliar match for two of the football world's most renowned players. Betwen the two of them, Klose and Buffon have made nearly 300 appearances for their respective national teams - 284 to be exact - and have clinched numerous personal and team accolades both internationally and at club level. As such, they have faced each other on a multitude of occasions, but how have they fared since the Poland-born former German international first made the switch to Serie A in 2011?
Buffon and Klose are no strangers to each other having met on several occasions for Italy vs Germany
We take an interesting look at who has come out on top, with a unique points system. For each game that Buffon's Juve came out on top, the long-serving Azzurri keeper earned one point, whilst Klose earned one for any matches that Lazio emerged as victors.
No points were noted if one or the other was unable to feature in the match due to injury, rotation or suspension.
November 27, 2011 - Lazio 0-1 Juventus
Klose's first game with the Biancocelesti against the Bianconeri would not end well for the veteran German striker, as Simone Pepe's first half goal was enough to give the visitors all three points at the Stadio Olimpico.
Buffon: 1 Klose: 0
April 11, 2012 - Juventus 2-1 Lazio
Although Juve would win this one courtesy of goals from Pepe and Alessandro Del Piero to cancel out Stefano Mauri's effort, Klose did not feature due to injury.
Buffon: N/A Klose N/A
November 17, 2012 - Juventus 0-0 Lazio
A masterful performance from Lazio's Federico Marchetti kept la Vecchia Signora off the score-sheet, whilst Klose in his second appearance against Juve was unable to open his account against Buffon.
Buffon: 0 Klose: 0
January 22, 2013 - Juventus 1-1 Lazio (Coppa Italia)
Neither veteran took part, with Klose still recovering from injury and Buffon, as is Juve's usual rotation policy for the Coppa Italia, sitting out to have Marco Storari deputise between the sticks.
Buffon: N/A Klose: N/A
January 29, 2013 - Lazio 2-1 Juventus (Coppa Italia)
Klose finally returned to the fold, and whilst he was unable to score against the Bianconeri, a late goal from Sergio Floccari was enough to see them through to the final.
Buffon: N/A Klose: 1
April 15, 2013 - Lazio 0-2 Juventus
A third frustrating outing for Germany's all-time top scorer as Arturo Vidal's brace would give the visitors all three points - and some small revenge- at the Stadio Olimpico
Buffon: 1 Klose: 0
August 18, 2013 - Juventus 4-0 Lazio (Supercoppa Italiana)
More sweet revenge - and misery for Klose's Lazio - as despite winning the Coppa Italia, they were humiliated by their opponents in the first meeting between the two sides of the 2013/2014 season.
Buffon: 1 Klose: 0
January 25, 2014 - Lazio 1-1 Juventus
Buffon would see red after bringing down Klose in the box, but the Bianconeri were unable to take advantage and had to settle for a draw after Fernando Llorente's equaliser.
Buffon: 0 Klose: 0
November 22, 2014 - Lazio 0-3 Juventus
Another frustrating appearance sans a goal for Klose, who saw his side outplayed and outclassed from start to finish.
Buffon: 1 Klose: 0
April 18, 2015 - Juventus 2-0 Lazio
After building up some positive momentum with an impressive eight match unbeaten streak, Lazio saw it all come to a screeching halt as the Serie A champions cruised to a comfortable three points. Klose cut a desolate and isolated figure up front without much service and was yet again unable to score past Buffon.
Buffon: 1 Klose: 0
May 20, 2015 Juventus ?-? Lazio Coppa Italia Final
As one can see, Buffon, with five "points" enjoys the clear advantage over Klose, who has just one. And since arriving in Italy, the German attacker has not enjoyed much luck - both on a personal and team level - when it comes to facing Juventus.
Will fans see him finally break his streak of bad luck this time around?
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