Heynckes hails Weidenfeller

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes feels Roman Weidenfeller should be Manuel Neuer's understudy in the Germany national team after denying his team three points in the game against Borussia Dortmund.

In an otherwise even encounter at the Allianz Arena, Weidenfeller made some crucial saves late on to help secure a 1-1 draw, and Heynckes admitted he is a fan of the 32-year-old.

"I have got to say that Weidenfeller made some fantastic saves," said Heynckes.

"And I would like to say that I don't know what the lad has got to do to play for the national team, and I have to say that very clearly today."

Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp was also full of praise for his shot-stopper, saying it was "his game today", but that does not necessarily translate as meaning his side were lucky to get away with a point.

"Both sides gave it everything," he told Sky television.

"Roman kept hold of the result for us, but overall I think it was a good performance from us and Bayern, and a draw is therefore fine for us."

Heynckes did not seem quite so convinced, suggesting that "small technicalities were decisive", but he did feel that the 71,000 fans inside the Allianz Arena, and a large worldwide television audience, saw a fine match.

"It was intense, dramatic and there were plenty of chances," he said.

"Above all, there were two teams who play modern football and were tactically very clever."

The point leaves Bayern eight points clear of their nearest challengers Bayer Leverkusen and 11 ahead of Dortmund with two games to go before the midway stage of the season.

That advantage is going to be hard for anybody to overturn, but man of the match Weidenfeller is not bidding farewell to the title Dortmund have held for two years just yet.

"The title has never been decided at this stage of the season and is all still open," he said,

"You could see today that we are totally competitive."