For the first time since 2011, FC Bayern München have been eliminated at the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League. Following the 2-1 home defeat, the record champions went down 4-2 after extra time in Madrid. For long spell it looked like Bayern would be rewarded for a spirited and committed performance, a view that is shared by Mats Hummels, who delivered a heroic performance despite carrying a painful ankle injury. In an interview with DFB.de, the World Cup winner talks about the disappointing exit, his injury, controversial refereeing decisions, the retirement of Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo’s hunger for goals.
Question: Mr Hummels, how frustrated are you following the defeat?
Mats Hummels: Of course we are frustrated and disappointed, but we’re also proud. We gave all that we could out on the pitch and used up all our reserves. We were so close and at 2-1 the whole stadium and Real were very nervous. We could have done it, we almost did. When you go into the changing room and watch Real’s second and third goals, you know that the referee has had an extremely bad game. That hurts.
Question: What are your thoughts on video technology?
Hummels: I’ve always been for it, for many years I’ve been saying that because I think such decisions would be ruled correctly. It would have been very exciting to see how the game would have panned out if it was still 2-1 after 110 or 115 minutes.
Question: Bayern’s second goal also looked to be offside…
Hummels: It was offside? That’s a small consolation then, if you like.
Question: Recently it looked certain you wouldn’t play, but despite your ankle injury you’ve just played 120 minutes. Was that unwise?
Hummels: Not unwise, no. We couldn’t have done more damage to something that was already broken. I only had to fight a little bit through the pain barrier and push myself beyond my limits after eight days of doing virtually nothing. Jérôme Boateng and I just tried to shut out all our physical problems, which we managed well.
Question: Will the game have had any negative impact on your ankle?
Hummels: I’m not expecting any consequences, but I don’t know how my foot will have dealt with the 120 minutes.
Question: How was it even possible to get you fit to play?
Hummels: I have to say, it was impressive. We obviously spent many, many hours on the training ground receiving treatment and doing exercises, that worked somewhat. I also spent some hours at home undergoing therapeutic procedures. I honestly didn’t think it would work though. Especially after a minor set-back on Saturday when my foot started swelling up again after a little pressure. But somehow it felt fine again on Sunday and it worked out fine.
Question: Cristiano Ronaldo scored five of Real’s the six goals over the two legs. What makes him such a nightmare for defenders?
Hummels: The fact that he is quite simply a world-class goal scorer, who is always hungry for goals. We don’t need to discuss that. And with that he has elevated himself to this world-class status. But if there were five different goalscorers and were still knocked out, we wouldn’t feel any better.
Question: How would you assess the season following the Champions League elimination?
Hummels: It’s difficult to say. Obviously you can say that the Champions League season has been difficult, because we have gone out too early. But when you see how we’ve gone out, winning in 90 minutes and then losing in extra time, you can’t reflect badly on it. But football is a results sport, so on that front we’re obviously not happy because the Champions League was very, very important for us this season. Unfortunately we had a few players not quite fit at the wrong time.
Question: Next week you have the DFB Cup final against Borussia Dortmund. You’ll need everyone back fit for then…
Hummels: I would say so. But we will be, I think.
Question: Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso have played their last Champions League games and their retirement will signal the end of an era…
Hummels: They have both left their mark in world football, especially in the Champions League. They were competing year after year. Two great players have ended their Champions League in suitably in a huge and spectacular match.
created by mmc/dfb
For the first time since 2011, FC Bayern München have been eliminated at the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League. Following the 2-1 home defeat, the record champions went down 4-2 after extra time in Madrid. For long spell it looked like Bayern would be rewarded for a spirited and committed performance, a view that is shared by Mats Hummels, who delivered a heroic performance despite carrying a painful ankle injury. In an interview with DFB.de, the World Cup winner talks about the disappointing exit, his injury, controversial refereeing decisions, the retirement of Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo’s hunger for goals.
Question: Mr Hummels, how frustrated are you following the defeat?
Mats Hummels: Of course we are frustrated and disappointed, but we’re also proud. We gave all that we could out on the pitch and used up all our reserves. We were so close and at 2-1 the whole stadium and Real were very nervous. We could have done it, we almost did. When you go into the changing room and watch Real’s second and third goals, you know that the referee has had an extremely bad game. That hurts.
Question: What are your thoughts on video technology?
Hummels: I’ve always been for it, for many years I’ve been saying that because I think such decisions would be ruled correctly. It would have been very exciting to see how the game would have panned out if it was still 2-1 after 110 or 115 minutes.
Question: Bayern’s second goal also looked to be offside…
Hummels: It was offside? That’s a small consolation then, if you like.
Question: Recently it looked certain you wouldn’t play, but despite your ankle injury you’ve just played 120 minutes. Was that unwise?
Hummels: Not unwise, no. We couldn’t have done more damage to something that was already broken. I only had to fight a little bit through the pain barrier and push myself beyond my limits after eight days of doing virtually nothing. Jérôme Boateng and I just tried to shut out all our physical problems, which we managed well.
Question: Will the game have had any negative impact on your ankle?
Hummels: I’m not expecting any consequences, but I don’t know how my foot will have dealt with the 120 minutes.
Question: How was it even possible to get you fit to play?
Hummels: I have to say, it was impressive. We obviously spent many, many hours on the training ground receiving treatment and doing exercises, that worked somewhat. I also spent some hours at home undergoing therapeutic procedures. I honestly didn’t think it would work though. Especially after a minor set-back on Saturday when my foot started swelling up again after a little pressure. But somehow it felt fine again on Sunday and it worked out fine.
Question: Cristiano Ronaldo scored five of Real’s the six goals over the two legs. What makes him such a nightmare for defenders?
Hummels: The fact that he is quite simply a world-class goal scorer, who is always hungry for goals. We don’t need to discuss that. And with that he has elevated himself to this world-class status. But if there were five different goalscorers and were still knocked out, we wouldn’t feel any better.
Question: How would you assess the season following the Champions League elimination?
Hummels: It’s difficult to say. Obviously you can say that the Champions League season has been difficult, because we have gone out too early. But when you see how we’ve gone out, winning in 90 minutes and then losing in extra time, you can’t reflect badly on it. But football is a results sport, so on that front we’re obviously not happy because the Champions League was very, very important for us this season. Unfortunately we had a few players not quite fit at the wrong time.
Question: Next week you have the DFB Cup final against Borussia Dortmund. You’ll need everyone back fit for then…
Hummels: I would say so. But we will be, I think.
Question: Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso have played their last Champions League games and their retirement will signal the end of an era…
Hummels: They have both left their mark in world football, especially in the Champions League. They were competing year after year. Two great players have ended their Champions League in suitably in a huge and spectacular match.
