Interview with Hummels – Is his move to Bayern only 51 percent likely?

Mats Hummels spoke about the mixed fan reactions in Dortmund’s 5-1 win over Wolfsburg Saturday. The BVB captain denied claims that he had approached FC Bayern first and  hinted that his transfer might not be as certain as many had thought.

Mats Hummels, let’s talk about the match first. It was a commanding 5-1 win against Wolfsburg. That was fun, right?

Yes, we played superbly from the first minute on. We exploited Wolfsburg’s weaknesses that we’ve uncovered in the preparation to the match. We completely dominated the game and didn’t allow many chances. In the first half Wolfsburg hit the bar and had a shot from distance, that was about it. Overall it was a really strong performance from us.

Not as strong was the performance from the fans.

Not “the fans”. It were 300, who – let’s put it this way – necessarily not always loved me to begin with. Today they used it to stage themselves, which is okay. Emotions are part of the game, but I explicitly must say that it certainly weren’t 80,000 fans – and not even 8,000, but significantly less.

Still, what did you make of their reaction?

I think I am the first player in history to be jeered by his own fans, although no transfer has gone through yet. I mean, the club has to publish an ad-hoc announcement if there a ‘relative likeliness’ for a transfer. 51 percent suffice for that. We’ll have to see what happens in the coming days.

Nonetheless, I can’t say too much about the reactions, but I saw where it came from in the stadium. The “small group” and I already share a bit of back story.

A large amount of fans tried to counter the whistles by applauding when you had the ball.

Yes, I found that very encouraging. Also some came from the main stands. They sensed how the situation was during the first half, which was nice to see. I’ve been here for eight-and-a-half years. I said to the lads as a joke earlier:

Imagine there is a player going through Dortmund’s youth-ranks. He then leaves for, say,  Ahlen or Gladbach and returns for around € 17 million. I don’t think he would be insulted [by our fans], although you see it as a similar situation.

It’s all highly emotional. That’s also the case for me, but you have to block that out on the pitch – which I did. I think I had my part in today’s win.

Do you think statements [by Uli Hoeneß] on Friday, indicating that you’ve asked to move to FC Bayern maybe added to the emotions?

Seriously, I haven’t approached anyone. That’s the biggest piece of nonsense I’ve ever heard. I have to say I really don’t need that.

Do you want have certainty on your future ahead of the Euros?

I don’t want to add any further fuel to the fire. As I said, it’s my wish to have a decision as soon as possible, but there is nothing new to announce. Though that’s the interesting thing about it, isn’t it? There is only a likely, eventual possibility but nothing more.

Back to matters on the pitch: Since going out of the Europa League, BVB have dominated every opponent. Is this the reaction the team had hoped for?

Definitely! That’s actually the worst thing about it. We played brilliantly throughout the Rückrunde, and only failed to deliver in those two games against Liverpool, which may have been down the emotional setting around those matches

To this day, that’s still really vexing. However, the reaction we’ve shown – the three 3-0 wins and now the 5-1 success – has been outstanding.