“What is written doesn’t give a shit!” Niklas Süle reacted angrily to criticism from the media. – Photo: dpa
“What is written doesn’t give a shit!” Niklas Süle reacted angrily to criticism from the media. – Photo: dpa
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First Champions League goal, back to zero: Niklas Süle has reported back after difficult weeks – and wiped off his critics.
Flip-flops, shorts – if it weren’t for the thick winter jacket, Niklas Süle would have passed for a beach holidaymaker. But as he stood there in the cold Munich night, the freezing national player became painfully aware that he had made a mistake in choosing clothes. “I thought I would let some fresh air on my feet, but that was the wrong decision,” he said shivering. But it was his only gross misjudgment on an all-round successful Champions League evening.
First goal in the premier class, plus zero with a newly formed defense: Süle saved the defending champion’s untroubled anticipation for possible knockout rounds against FC Barcelona or Europa League winners FC Sevilla. And he used his newly won self-confidence after FC Bayern’s 2-0 (0-0) win against Lokomotiv Moscow to greet the critics.
He was “very happy” about the victory at the end of an outstanding year on Europe’s largest football stage, “we were incredibly strong in this competition in 2020. That is the only thing that counts,” said Süle and added snipingly: “What was written is, doesn’t give a shit! “
Most recently, Sport Bild wrote about him that he was being put to the test internally. Süle, it was said, had to prove that he was “a Bayern player”. Only then will an extension of the contract, which ends in 2022, be considered. Coach Hansi Flick confirmed that the 25-year-old was “behind in training”. Since his second cruciate ligament tear, Süle has not lived up to his role as the hoped-for head of defense, neither at Bayern nor in the national team. In addition, rumors about weight problems made the rounds.
How badly all the headlines must have hit him became clear on Wednesday evening on the Sky microphone. “Oh, you know, that’s the way it is,” said Süle, visibly annoyed, “when I play shit, I don’t really feel like doing the interviews. And when I play well, I don’t feel so much either.”
The representative of David Alaba, who was spared for the pre-Christmas Bundesliga three-pack, felt that on the pitch. Süle defended cautiously, his massive header brought the important lead (63.).
“That was good for him and we were all happy,” said Flick, who emphasized that he was “satisfied” with Süle’s development. The only flaw besides the unsuitable clothes: When captain Manuel Neuer at the next corner, “Come on, Niki, confirm!” demanded, Süle missed the second goal.
This was achieved by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (80th), who had to make way for Robert Lewandowski at Union Berlin on Saturday (6.30 p.m. / Sky). “I assume that he is 100 percent fit,” said Flick of the Pole, whom he had spared due to muscular problems.
It will also depend on “Lewa” when “the ultimate in Europe” (Lothar Matthäus) enters the knockout round in spring. Possible opponents in the round of 16, which will be drawn on Monday, are in addition to Barca with superstar Lionel Messi and Sevilla, Bergamo, Porto and Lazio. All “top teams”, as Flick said, but: “Of course we want to get through the round of 16 and expand our series.”
First in the Bundesliga – in Berlin, against Wolfsburg and in Leverkusen. Three more wins, said Flick, “then it was a fantastic year. We want to put everything in.” But without flip-flops.
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