Dortmund's Süle: Mentally struggled to 'do right things' last season

Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Süle said that he mentally struggled to "do the right things" in the past season as he aims to be in his best form for the new football year.

"Mentally, I just didn't manage to do the right things. I was no longer able to motivate myself. I wanted to, but couldn't," he told broadcasters Sport1 in an interview published on Monday.

Süle had a difficult season and also had physical problems. Due to his lack of form, he wasn't included in Germany's squad for the Euro 2024 this summer.

But he said that he had "a lot of important conversations and also got help" and stressed that he will be "top fit" in the first matchday of the season.

The defender said that he worked with a mental coach, changed his diet and spent many hours in the gym.

"I went into this summer break with the goal of creating something like a Niklas Süle 2.0. I'm now in a mental state that I haven't been in for a long time. It was probably the most intense summer of my life," he said.

That's why he's hoping to get playing time again despite the great competition in the squad.

"We have so many games. Everyone will get their playing time. Competition revitalises the business and without competition you won't be driven," he said.

Last season, Dortmund reached the Champions League final but were defeated by record winners Real Madrid.

They start the new term with the German Cup match against Phönix Lübeck. The Bundesliga begins a week later with a home match against Eintracht Frankfurt.