Soccer World Cup
Süle ready for more responsibility: “Ensure stability”
Plays his second World Cup: Niklas Süle. photo
© Christian Charisius/dpa
Niklas Süle sees himself and his generation in Qatar in a special role. The 95/96 vintage wants to shine five years after winning the Confed Cup at the World Cup.
Niklas Süle feels ready for the big hit. In talks with Hansi Flick, the new Dortmunder also signaled this to the national coach, as he assured the national soccer team shortly before the World Cup opening game.
“I told him that I want to take responsibility for my second World Cup at the age of 27,” said the BVB defender before the game on Wednesday (2 p.m. / ARD and Magenta TV) against Japan in Doha. The time is ripe for the generation born in 1995 and 1996, which also includes the four Bayern pros Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané.
Confederation Cup win
The DFB merits of this highly talented vintage are limited to winning the Confederation Cup 2017 in Russia. After that, no positive impression could be made at the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 European Championship. At the last World Cup, the then national coach Joachim Löw shied away from a consistent generation change, last year the title dream ended too early in the round of 16 in England (0:2). Five years after the Confed Cup victory, eight players from back then are still in the current World Cup squad. Seven DFB professionals in Qatar were born between August 1995 and July 1996.
Süle knows the dangers of the tournament very well. “You don’t have many opportunities, as we saw in 2018. We have to train processes in the shortest possible time so that we can perform at their best on Wednesday,” said the 42-time national player. With great vigour, he prepared for Qatar. Shortly after moving from FC Bayern to Dortmund, he suffered a muscle injury. At first, the ambition was too great. “I took it on too quickly,” he said of the convalescence. But now he feels fit. “I knew that I had to be able to perform every three days.”
Süle sees himself as a central defender. But as in Dortmund, he could also help out on the right flank in the DFB team if Flick deems it necessary. The DFB defense is well-established. “We’ve been playing in this association for a long time and I think we’ll ensure stability on Wednesday. We have to radiate something back there. We’ve already shown that we’re able to defend against good opponents,” said Süle.