Niklas Süle: “Going out of the cup is behind us”

You said in the summer that you would like to be even more of a leader than before. How well have you done that so far?

Niklas Süle: Very well, I think. I’m not one of the louder players and won’t be like that on the pitch or in the dressing room. But I try to lead the way with my body language, to bring a certain presence to the pitch and to carry the others with me. In this respect I’ve taken a step in the right direction this season. This was also of course because I came back from the Olympics with a lot of confidence and was given my debut in the Germany national team shortly afterwards. All of that helped me. It’s important that we keep hanging in there during periods when things aren’t going as well, to push each other and to continue moving forward. That is something I will continue to contribute to.

TSG often play with three at the back. What is the difference for you as a centre-back between a back-three and a back-four?

Süle: When I play in the wide position in a three, I can get higher up the pitch and press players earlier, because I have two men sitting behind me who will get to the ball and deal with it. It’s worked very well in recent weeks with the line of three but I think we can also play with a back-four, so we are versatile which makes us difficult to predict for opposition teams.

You are still unbeaten this season. How important is that for you and the team?

Süle: Obviously this run gives us confidence. You can see most when we have the ball. We want the ball and to create chances. We’ve been especially good at home this year but there is still some room for improvement away from home.

You host 1. FC Kölnon Saturday. Is there unfinished business there or is the cup match no longer relevant?

Süle: Now it’s all about the Bundesliga. The cup is long forgotten, even though it was painful losing and going outbecause we had several good opportunities to win the game. At home, we will try to play well and to keep the three points here.

There are still four games before the winter break. What are your aims personally before Christmas?

Süle: We still have some difficult games ahead of us. That starts with Köln and continues with Frankfurt, who in are good form, BVB and Bremen, so we don’t have any easy matches before the first half of the season comes to an end. Our goal has to be to approach every game with the highest levels of concentration and to give it 100%. If we can manage to remain unbeaten before the winter break, that would be phenomenal.

It is still very early to start looking back on how the year has gone, but 2016 hasn’t been a bad one, has it? Staying up, winning silver at the Olympics, qualifying for the Euros, making your Germany debut...

Süle: Absolutely. For me, the most important and greatest thing is that I am back to my best after rupturing my cruciate ligament and can consistently produce good performances. I am enjoying being back on the pitch and training with the team again. 2016 was a fantastic year for me. 

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