Hummels calls for more midfield dominance after win: "A problem since I've been here."
ortmund brace-scorer Mats Hummels called for more midfield dominance from his team following what he called a "hard-fought win" on Saturday.
| Mats Hummels. | Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
The 34-year-old is now the oldest Borussia Dortmund player to score a brace for the club. Additionally, the center back has now joined an elite group of only five other German footballers - Olaf Thon, Michael Zorc, Holger Fach, Bernd Nickel and Willi Neuberger - to score a league goal in 16 consecutive seasons.
"It was a hard fought win," Hummels told the Sky microphones afterwards, "one can't belittle it either. Freiburg is very difficult place to play. The important things is that we were ready for this away match."
True to form, however, Hummels did have some criticism of his team to reveal as well. When it came to the two goals conceded, the veteran noted that the team he rejoined four years ago after three championship-winning-seasons with Bayern continued to come up short in certain areas.
"It's been a problem since I've been here," Hummels noted, "Against a more aggressive Freiburg, we lacked movement against the ball. We thus made them stronger."
"Dominating the opponent is something we clearly have to get better at if we're going to be a top team," Hummels continued, "If we wish to take a step up, we have to dominate in midfield and break down a pressing opponent."
The 76-times-capped international was asked about Germany's search for a new Bundestrainer, a topic from which he happily recused himself. Hummels pointed out that he hadn't played under any of the candidates traded for the position.
When his interviewer pointed out that Hummels had actually played under one candidate - Felix Magath - at Bayern, Hummels noted with a chuckle that he was 17-years-old at the time.