After bagging a goal in Borussia Dortmund's 4-1 win over 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt at the Westfalenstadion, BVB captain Mats Hummels admitted that his confidence had been affected of late.
Thomas Tuchel's side are now just five points behind Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga, but World Cup winner Hummels feels like his contribution to the cause has been below expectations in recent weeks.
"Both the victory and my goal were a great relief for all of us, but also for me personally," Hummels said after the match. "I have to admit: my self-confidence in the last few weeks -- for the first time in my career -- has been a bit low.
"I've never really experienced that before. For that reason, this game against Frankfurt, my performance and my goal were, of course, all very good for my self-belief.
"It can't be argued that a load has been taken off my back, something which a victory and a goal are good at helping with."
Dortmund have two more games before the Christmas break -- Augsburg in the DFB Pokal on Wednesday, followed by Cologne away in the league -- and Hummels believes that his side have worked themselves into a great position on the table.
"[It's] an important three points once again," he said. "A lot went in our favour across the whole day, and our lead over those below us has been increased.
"As it stands, we have had a great first-half of the season. However, we have to deliver again on two occasions before Christmas."