Just before the reunion with his former club FC Bayern, Niklas Süle lost his regular place at BVB. However, ex-national player Michael Ballack can understand the defender’s current benchwarming role.
Ballack acted as a TV expert at Borussia Dortmund’s away game at Eintracht Frankfurt (3:3) on Sunday. On the “DAZN” microphone, the 47-year-old was asked why coach Edin Terzic is currently hardly considering defender Süle for the starting eleven.
“Because the other two are simply better at the moment because they harmonize,” replied Ballack, alluding to the defensive duo of Mats Hummels/Nico Schlotterbeck.
At the same time, the former Bayern professional also showed understanding for those who suffered. “On the other hand, Niklas Süle is not 100 percent fit either. Because of his class, he is a player who belongs in the team, perhaps has to belong,” said Ballack.
Nevertheless: “In central defense I understand the coach, you want consistency.”
Ballack sees BVB game with ups and downs
Meanwhile, Ballack wasn’t completely convinced by BVB’s performance in Frankfurt, but praised the morale of the guests, who came back from 0-2 and 2-3 deficits.
“It was a great football game. The result is also commensurate with the performance. Frankfurt had the better team performance in the first half, also the better chances, and could have taken a bigger lead,” analyzed the former DFB captain.
Ballack continued: “The connection for Dortmund shortly before half-time was very important. In the second half after the 2-2 score, the momentum shifted more towards Dortmund.”
In the end, however, it was no longer enough for an away win. The Westphalians go into the German classic next Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.) two points behind second-placed FC Bayern.