DFB.de: You looked a little bit more than just upset.
Hummels: Well, in the end I might have acted slightly too harshly. I told Miki that just now and he understood that emotions on the pitch are just part of the game. He even agreed with me about the reason why I got upset. But the way I handled myself that moment was not entirely appropriate and I realised that after the game as well. That's also why we immediately talked about it after the match. On the other hand, I'm sure that worse things could happen on the football pitch.
The potentially greatest comeback in the history of the Bundesliga continues. Borussia Dortmund were in last place of the standings in February, but have now climbed to seventh following a deserved 2-0 victory over Hertha BSC on matchday 32. But still, skipper Mats Hummels shook his head after the game when he looked at the standings. FC Bayern München 0-1 FC Augsburg was the scoreline he had seen. If the defending and new champions had won the Bavarian derby, Dortmund would currently sit in sixth place. But their day may yet come this season – that's what Mats Hummels believes.
The World Champion spoke with DFB.de about the game against Hertha, FC Bayern's result against Augsburg and his anger towards teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
DFB.de: Mr. Hummels, does the result in Munich bother you?
Mats Hummels: It's definitely a bit frustrating for us. I just watched some of the highlights and saw that they had a player sent off quite early, so it was just an unlucky circumstance, particularly because the red card was not entirely necessary. It's doesn't help us in our situation and that's slightly annoying, but we still took another important step forward on this matchday.
DFB.de: Hertha BSC had zero chances in the game. You appear to be in good form again, right?
Hummels: Our opponents have created zero chances in the last three home games. We appear to be heading into the right direction in that regard and I hope we can keep the momentum going until the season is over. If we win our two remaining games, we will finish in seventh place at least, but I personally expect that two wins will also be enough to claim sixth. That has to be our goal from now on.
DFB.de: A foul by Henrikh Mkhitaryan shortly before the final whistle seemed to upset you. Why?
Hummels: I wasn't just upset with Miki. I was really annoyed by the fact that at a certain stage of the game, we started to lose possession in areas where it was unnecessary. We either gave the ball away or conceded free kicks. Basically, Hertha’s only chances today would have come through us making mistakes. That’s why I was upset.
DFB.de: You looked a little bit more than just upset.
Hummels: Well, in the end I might have acted slightly too harshly. I told Miki that just now and he understood that emotions on the pitch are just part of the game. He even agreed with me about the reason why I got upset. But the way I handled myself that moment was not entirely appropriate and I realised that after the game as well. That's also why we immediately talked about it after the match. On the other hand, I'm sure that worse things could happen on the football pitch.
