by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- It seems more than a bold guess: even football's heroes sometimes need a little help.

Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel seems a shining example after securing his team's Champions League knockout-stage participation when saving a penalty shot against Manchester City.

Other than most of the 80,000 fans, the Swiss international might have recognized the hint delivered by BVB youngster Youssoufa Moukoko waiting right in the box line.

The gifted 17-year-old striker pointed to the right corner apparently, sending off the message Sky Blues striker Riyad Mahrez is going to place the ball exactly there.

If 24-year-old Kobel received the news in time, he remained in the dark but finished his job with the required preciseness.

The Dortmund keeper described his jump as a last-second decision after "I tried to read Mahrez's thoughts."

The stunning save might have moved Kobel into the limelight of international attention for a day while the Black and Yellow fans weren't overwhelmingly surprised.

While the team's stars such as Jude Bellingham and Moukoko seem to dominate the headlines, Dortmund's keeper significantly improved the side's quality in secret since joining in 2021.

Statistics speak of over 80 percent saved shots which make the Dortmund keeper one of the best in the German national league.

The Zurich-born goalie continues the recent upswing in Swiss goalkeeping development as several of his countrymen have secured their leading position in different European leagues.

While Kobel is on his way to developing into one of Dortmund's team leaders, it seems to take a while to get things done in the Swiss national team.

Currently ranked number two together with Montpellier's Jonas Omlin (28) behind Moenchengladbach's Yann Sommer (33), Kobel is the future goalkeeper in the Swiss shirt.

While Sommer and Omlin at present suffer from injuries, Kobel is riding the wave and there can be little doubt that he would be well prepared to step in for a major tournament such as the Qatar World Cup.

Being attracted to goalkeeping by Italian icon Gigi Buffon in his early years, the Swiss is investigating NBA basketball games to learn from the movements of the stars.

The requirements for modern goalkeeping have become complex in his perspective and therefore "we need to work on all levels to gain improvement."

That comes along with his season goals such as gaining ground in the national league and getting as far as possible in the Champions League.

His saving against the Citizens, achieved with the help of Moukoko or not, might help him to stay tuned. Enditem

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