Niko Gießelmann: "I still have a bit of striker's blood in me"
Niko Gießelmann has explained why he is suddenly scoring so many goals.
After a difficult first season at Union Berlin, left wing-back Niko Gießelmann has emerged as a key player for his side, racking up three goals and two assists in 11 Bundesliga games this season.
When asked to explain why he has suddenly become such a big goal threat, the 30-year-old told Kicker:
"I put that down to the fact that our system - with three or five at the back - is a bit more offensive and that we often create chances on the wings. As a wide man, I'm supposed to be part of that. It always takes a bit of luck. But the opponent's defenders don't have you on their radar that much, because you tend to come from behind and at the back post. I get into finishing situations more often than in a back four.
"As a youngster, I played up front or in attacking midfield more often, and in my early days at Greuther Fürth, I played as a left midfielder more often. So I probably still have a bit of striker's blood in me. That's showing a bit at the moment.
"I feel very good, I have confidence, I'm fit, and I'm just at my prime football age. Maybe I'm standing out a bit more than usual with my statistics for goals and assists. But I've already had good games in the last few years."