Borussia Dortmund: Süle’s sensational monster move

As of: 05:10 a.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes

Niklas Süle (Borussia Dortmund) clears at the last second against Kylian Mbappé (Paris St. Germain)

Source: picture alliance/Teresa Kroeger/RHR-FOTO

It was a scene that went viral: Niklas Süle managed to steal a goal that was believed to be safe from Kylian Mbappé. The spectacular rescue and his strong performance in the 1-1 (0-0) draw against Paris St. Germain came at an important time for the Borussia Dortmund defender.

The scene inspires the World Wide Web. “The Musée du Louvre just called Borussia Dortmund – they are swapping the picture for the Mona Lisa,” wrote a football fan on Facebook and posted a photo. You can see Niklas Süle, lying on the floor, stretching his right leg up until he can no longer walk in order to somehow prevent French superstar Kylian Mbappé from scoring a goal. The extraordinary thing was that the Dortmund defender actually succeeded.

It was the 18th minute of the Champions League game between BVB and FC Paris St. Germain. The French hit a long ball to Mbappé. Süle is wrong. Mbappé receives the ball with his right, turns, runs into the penalty area, puts it past the charging goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and shoots at the empty goal. Suddenly Süle comes rushing up, jumps into the ball’s path – and pulls his leg up so high that he can actually direct the ball over the goal. 25,000 fans in Dortmund’s south stand cheer as if BVB had just taken the lead.

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First place in the hammer group

“That was a monster move,” said DAZN expert Michael Ballack. Dietmar Hamann from rival broadcaster Sky spoke of “an insane rescue act.” Shortly afterwards, Bild wrote of “God’s trick”. That’s not necessarily an exaggeration: players have already been lifted into the sky for far less spectacular scenes.

“We are happy about every tackle that looks like that. That was outstanding, Mbappé was probably very surprised that the ball wasn’t in there. That was like a goal for us,” said Edin Terzic after the 1-1 (0-0), which secured Dortmund’s group victory – not least thanks to Süle. In recent months he has mostly only been the number three central defender for the BVB coach. Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck were given preference. Against Paris, however, Terzic decided differently – a good decision.

Süle went into every duel

No question: Süle (28) was the man of the evening, and not just because of his artistic performance. He threw himself into every duel against the Parisians who were attacking with Mbappé, Randal Kolo Muani and Bradley Barcola. Later, when Terzic moved him to the right-back position, he boosted attacks. Shortly before the end, Süle even had the chance to score the 2-1 winning goal. It was his best performance in months – and somehow it seemed to have been announced. Last Saturday, when Dortmund lost 2-1 to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, the national player was one of the strongest Borussia players after coming on as a substitute in the 19th minute.

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“Niklas had to be patient. We knew that we could always rely on him if he stayed diligent. Now is the time when we need him and when he wants to take advantage of his chance,” Terzic said between the Leipzig and Paris games. That’s exactly how it happened. Finally Süle showed again what he is capable of.

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However, the Dortmund team had also pushed for this. On Tuesday there was a conversation between BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl, Süle and his advisor Volker Struth. Although Kehl had invited, both sides needed to talk. Süle was concerned about his lack of playing time. In the current season, up until the Paris game, he had played 14 competitive games, but only played 787 minutes. If this does not change, his place in the squad for Euro 2024 could be in jeopardy. Kehl, on the other hand, wanted Süle to take on more responsibility. After all, he was brought in by FC Bayern as a leading player in 2022. However, Süle has not always lived up to this role recently.

“It was a good conversation,” said Kehl on Wednesday after the game. “Niklas is an important player. We need him to be in good shape and in a good attitude.” The way Süle presented himself against Paris, he was “very, very important for Borussia Dortmund”.

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What is still missing, however, is confirmation of this trend – both as far as Süle himself is concerned, as well as Dortmund as a whole. Because in contrast to the mostly good performances in the Champions League, there is a lack in the Bundesliga. “You certainly have to say that in the Champions League we show a slightly different dynamic, a slightly different will. There isn’t anyone in the team who isn’t motivated to the core. We have to accept the accusation that this is not quite the case in the Bundesliga,” said Süle. This could certainly also be understood as self-critical.

Süle also agreed to his sensational scene in a similar way. “That can certainly be defended better from my side. I should have dropped faster. I’m quick over long distances, but it’s difficult against Mbappé,” he explained and grinned. When he looked at the television images of his “monster stride,” he added dryly: “You can all take a look at my crotch.” A real Süle.