The mood was subdued and eerie after the 80,000 fans in paid tribute in the second half at Signal-Iduna-Park after a 79-year-old man on the south stand suffered a heart attack and passed away. The 2-0 home win for Dortmund over Mainz was put completely in the shade by these tragic events on matchday 26 of the Bundesliga.
The scenes were also unusual for the players on the pitch. World champion and BVB captain Mats Hummels spoke with DFB about what it was like to experience an atmosphere such as the one yesterday, when the players heard about the tragic incident and the reaction of the fans.
Question: Mr Hummels, how did you find the game today with all of the events surrounding it?
Mats Hummels: We were obviously shocked at first. We didn’t know anything about what was going on. Nonetheless we had to play our game and do our job. We spoke about what could have taken place a little bit during the game, and knew something must have happened because the atmosphere we was not like it usually is. On the contrary, I have experienced an atmosphere like that once before in Paris. You obviously can’t compare the incidents but there were similarities with respect to the mood in the stadium. It was quiet but there was still some activity, it was very strange.
Question: When did you find out what had happened?
Hummels: We were informed straight after the game. It was of course a very fitting reaction from the spectators when they sang “You’ll never walk alone”. I believe it left an impression on everyone who saw it. It’s not true that it doesn’t affect the players. We also know what it means when everyone in the stands are brought together. That is why we still enjoyed our victory, even if it was completed in a more subdued atmosphere.
Question: That’s a big compliment to the fans. How did you deal with the events?
Hummels: Of course! It is difficult because you should cheer with passion. I believe it is hard to give 100 percent in situations such as these. The fans reacted really well to the events by singing “You’ll never walk alone” twice.
The mood was subdued and eerie after the 80,000 fans in paid tribute in the second half at Signal-Iduna-Park after a 79-year-old man on the south stand suffered a heart attack and passed away. The 2-0 home win for Dortmund over Mainz was put completely in the shade by these tragic events on matchday 26 of the Bundesliga.
The scenes were also unusual for the players on the pitch. World champion and BVB captain Mats Hummels spoke with DFB about what it was like to experience an atmosphere such as the one yesterday, when the players heard about the tragic incident and the reaction of the fans.
Question: Mr Hummels, how did you find the game today with all of the events surrounding it?
Mats Hummels: We were obviously shocked at first. We didn’t know anything about what was going on. Nonetheless we had to play our game and do our job. We spoke about what could have taken place a little bit during the game, and knew something must have happened because the atmosphere we was not like it usually is. On the contrary, I have experienced an atmosphere like that once before in Paris. You obviously can’t compare the incidents but there were similarities with respect to the mood in the stadium. It was quiet but there was still some activity, it was very strange.
Question: When did you find out what had happened?
Hummels: We were informed straight after the game. It was of course a very fitting reaction from the spectators when they sang “You’ll never walk alone”. I believe it left an impression on everyone who saw it. It’s not true that it doesn’t affect the players. We also know what it means when everyone in the stands are brought together. That is why we still enjoyed our victory, even if it was completed in a more subdued atmosphere.
Question: That’s a big compliment to the fans. How did you deal with the events?
Hummels: Of course! It is difficult because you should cheer with passion. I believe it is hard to give 100 percent in situations such as these. The fans reacted really well to the events by singing “You’ll never walk alone” twice.
Question: Did any players recall Paris on the pitch?
Hummels: That was my first thought but I didn’t say anything during the game, as I didn’t know exactly what taken place. I just noticed that the atmosphere was similar to in France. I was reminded of it but it wasn’t as if I was thinking about it the whole time. There was just a brief realisation that something must have happened. It was important that we remained calm because it was an odd situation, almost like in training or during a practice match in front of 30 or 40 spectators. It is something very different and it’s not easy to keep your concentration. However, we did it well though even if it wasn’t the main thing today.
Question: How do you rate how the team played against a strong Mainz side?
Hummels: It all happened once again as the coach said it would. We needed to be patient because Mainz are an active and hard working team. We kept calm and didn’t give them any openings except for Stefan Bell’s opportunity from a corner. After the break, gaps continuously opened in and we were able to use them to create an unbelievable amount of chances. It was almost ludicrous that it was only 1-0 after 65 minutes, because the game could have been decided by four or five goals. We won in the end, but perhaps we could have scored a lot more. However, it would have made absolutely no change to the result – it’s the same difference.
Question: So it was a very complete performance from BVB?
Hummels: Yeah, it was very controlled and energetic. It was hard work for our boys in attack. We weren’t at our best in front of goal but they tried their best. Marco was pulling off long sprints back to his own box even in the final moments of the game. It set a great example and showed why we won the game.
Question: Marco Reus has been very self-critical recently. Do you think he showed today that he is back to his best?
Hummels: Yeah, he played amazingly well. (Smiles) I had already said that to him as well, until he missed an open goal and played an awful pass in the 86th minute. I had to tell him off a little bit for that but it was all good.
