Wembley Bound But Worryingly Out of Shape?

The biggest club football game is just a few days away as Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are set to meet in the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium in London on June 1st. However, Dortmund fans have been left shocked after photos of star defender Niklas Süle in training showed him looking remarkably overweight just weeks before the big game.

The 27-year-old German international, who has featured in 72 matches for Dortmund since his move from Bayern Munich in 2022, looked out of place as he conducted exercises with an unprofessional body. His size has raised serious concerns among Dortmund supporters regarding his ability to handle the pressure and speed of Real Madrid’s deadly attack line.

Scathing Criticism From German Legend

Images of an overweight Süle have further fueled criticism from Markus Babbel who is one of the most respected footballers in Germany. The ex-Liverpool and Bayern star was not afraid to speak his mind when talking about Süle’s ongoing problems with punctuality and reliability.

In a frank interview with Sport1, Babbel stated: “Süle is good, but not very good. I think he has problems with having the discipline to do everything right. When you carry three or four kilograms more with you it shows at this level”.

Even more damningly, he alleged: There was also the issue of consuming pizza six times a week and kebab eight times. That doesn't work. " Babbel did caveat his remarks by allowing that occasional treats are acceptable but lambasted Süle for a perceived lack of restraint, saying: But that does not mean he should not do it at all. Sometimes you need to indulge yourself, that is all right. You cannot do this every day.

High Stakes For Dortmund's Champions League Dream

For Dortmund fans who are hoping for their first Champions League win since 1997 and have a defensive rock like Süle looking so ill-prepared is a frightening prospect. This is their first final since 2013 when they lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich at the same venue – Wembley.

No doubt the mission is to redeem themselves from the heartbreak of losing to the galáctico force of Real Madrid. Considering that Dortmund will face goal-scoring machines such as Karim Benzema, Vinícius Júnior, and the newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner Jude Bellingham, Dortmund’s defenders cannot afford to be anything less than 100% fit and focused.

Fans who have already managed to get tickets for the final (tickets are still available from official sellers such as 1Boxoffice) will be praying that the images of an unfit Süle are just a blip instead of a trend.

Recent Form A Warning Sign?

However, the apparent lack of physical fitness of Süle is not the only concern for Dortmund before the final match. Their recent run of results has also not been very encouraging either.

Dortmund were humiliated last weekend at home with a 3-0 loss to Mainz in the Bundesliga. In his post-match comments, manager Edin Terzic cut a frustrated figure, lamenting: They were the team that was too late to the ball and always losing out in the tackles and that is why it was a deserved defeat. Mainz fought for every ball and made it hard for us to keep possession but we did the same to them.

Terzic also expressed anger at his side's inconsistency, adding: ”We showed that we can play good and mature football but didn’t prove it regardless of the opponent, competition, weekday and stadium and this makes me angry. . . There are so many things inside of us and we can’t show them every time.

Last Chance For Redemption

Doubts are being cast over Dortmund’s physical and mental readiness but the picture is not completely lost for the German side. They still have a few weeks to prepare Süle and to regain the form that got them into the final in the first place.

Football is a game of surprises and turnarounds. Just ask Real Madrid who had to overcome two second-half comebacks against Manchester City and Chelsea in this Champions League season. It is the Madrid players who can best explain what realigning focus and desire can achieve.

And for Süle and Dortmund’s sake, the remaining time should be used wisely. Lanzini is a Champions League final starter who turns up overweight and out of shape against Real Madrid – a recipe for disaster. Süle will be under scrutiny at Wembley – and he cannot afford to fall any further if he does not want to end up in a personal and team disaster.