With first-choice custodian Roman Weidenfeller sidelined for two weeks with torn muscle fibres and a bruised pelvis, Mitch Langerak is set to feature between the sticks for BVB's DFB Cup clash in Munich on Tuesday. And the Australian's story in this fixture is scarcely believable...

image
Cup hero: Mitch Langerak gets his hands on the trophy

What a record! Three matches, three competitions, three wins against Bayern Munich! Mitch Langerak boasts the unique goalkeeping characteristic of having a 100% winning record against Bayern. Following a 3-1 away win in the Bundesliga in the 2010/2011 season and a 5-2 DFB Cup final triumph in 2012, Langerak completed his personal treble - this time keeping a clean sheet - in a 2-0 victory in the 2014 Super Cup, denying Shaqiri and Alaba to help his team to victory.

The story began on 26 February 2011 in the Allianz Arena when Langerak stepped in to replace the stricken Weidenfeller (capsule laceration in left knee) to make his first-ever Bundesliga appearance, helping Borussia Dortmund to a 3-1 victory that would later see them crowned champions by spectacularly denying Pranjic, Gomez and Ribery. 

And when Weidenfeller picked up an injury in a collision with Gomez in the 2012 Cup final with the score all square at 1-1, Langerak was substituted on in the 34th minute. Initially, the Australian was so nervous he could barely put his goalie gloves on: "But as soon as I got my first touch of the ball, I calmed down," he said. Borussia won the match 5-2.

BVB on DFB Cup winning run when Langerak plays

As well as three wins in three against Bayern, Langerak has won all ten DFB Cup games he has featured in, and the whole of Dortmund is now hoping the forthcoming Australian's winning streak will continue. Jürgen Klopp once said of his No2: "You think you're getting a beach boy from Australia, but in fact he's an unbelievably hard worker. Mitch improves minute by minute and he's a real competitor." When tomorrow's Cup clash gets underway, Langerak will be in the spotlight once again.