Süle: "80,000 against you? Can be a cool feeling"

What was that late goal against Frankfurt like from your point of view?

Niklas Süle: It was a difficult game. Frankfurt sit very deep. In the past we’ve often lost games that were close. Now we work hard so that we can win such games. The late winner was important for us and I was very happy.

You’ve scored 13 goals after the 80 minute mark this season which is the most in the Bundesliga. What makes you so strong in the final ten minutes?

Süle: We’ve simply learnt from previous seasons. We now that a game lasts for 90 minutes. We’re fit and we can hurt our opponent at any time so we’ve managed to turn tight games in our favour this season. Our strong team spirit is another contributing factor.

You’ve already played one important Bundesliga match in Dortmund... 

Süle: It was my second Bundesliga game. I played ten minutes in midfield and it was once of the most thrilling games of my career. Of course, we had a lot of luck, but now we’re an established team that has already achieved a lot this season. We’re still hungry for more. We had the chance to beat Dortmund earlier this season. When there are 80,000 people against you it can be a cool feeling and you can get an extra couple of percent out of yourself. We’re going there to win.

That win was the only one TSG have recorded in Dortmund. Can you get the second on Saturday?  

Süle: Of course we can. We can beat any team in this division – we showed that against Bayern who we hadn’t ever beaten before. We have a great group of lads and we can win in Dortmund.

Is it a game like any other or is it particularly special? 

Süle: It’s a game like any other in that we want to win. We’ve been working hard towards to this game over the last few weeks and we want to take as many points as we can from these last three games. It’s a special match, but that we can enjoy.

A victory against Bayern in the cup semi-final followed by a 0-0 versus Köln last week – how would you assess Borussia Dortmund?

Süle: Through the events just before their Champions League first-leg against Monaco they had to put the football into the background for a while. But they came through it as a team and picked themselves up. They play good football and managed to win in the cup in Munich. BVB are one of the best teams in Germany, but we want to go there and play our game, like we did at home to Bayern, and win.

It’s third against fourth – what sort of a game are you expecting?

Süle: Both teams will be playing to win. Perhaps there’s a little more pressure on Dortmund because we’re having our best season, but are always striving for more. Both teams will play aggressive and intense football. Of course I’m hoping that in the end the result goes our way. 

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