When Joachim Löw ponders his Germany line-up, the name Mats Hummels is one of the first on the team-sheet. “Mats made us solid in defence. He cleared up lots of situations,” the national team boss stated following his side’s goalless draw with England at Wembley. Hummels won his 61st full international cap and underlined his current rich vein of form. The 28-year-old commands increasing respect out on the field, reflected in the fact he is currently wearing the captain’s armband for his country.
“That was definitely a great moment, captaining Germany at Wembley against England. It’s fantastic,” commented Hummels after his first match deputising for the injured Manuel Neuer. “I’m delighted with the way things have gone over the last few months. I simply want to build on that in every match.”
Mats’ secret ‘surgery’
Hummels offered a typically pertinent analysis of the stalemate in London, used by Löw to experiment with a few of his squad options. “We tested a slightly different tactical plan, which could prove very important against certain opponents,” said Hummels. “But we were a little less precise with our passing and not as sure-footed as normal on the ball. We lost possession quickly – these are the things we have to work on.”
Yet again, Hummels was a tower of strength in the German defence. “It really is a lot of fun when the crosses come flying in and they somehow aim straight at my head. Heading them away feels really good,” the centre-back smiled, before revealing a little secret: due to problems with his big toes, he has been playing with two slits in his boots for some time now. Prior to the match in London, he made a third cut in his footwear, “because before that I banged my foot.”
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