Mats Hummels apologises to Roma fans for 'costing the whole club' chance of winning Europa League with daft red card in loss to Athletic Club

World Cup winner Hummels stepped out of a professional comfort zone in his homeland for the first time in September 2024 when making his way to Italy. The 36-year-old centre-half signed a 12-month contract as he moved to the Italian capital.

Roma were hoping to put Hummels’ vast experience to good use, but saw an uncharacteristic mistake from the former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund star cost them dear in a continental clash with La Liga outfit Athletic Club.

Roma had entered the second leg of their last-16 encounter leading 1-0. A moment of madness from Hummels was, however, to turn the tie on its head. He was sent off just 11 minutes into a crucial clash in Bilbao, with a stray pass forcing him to dive into a last-ditch tackle that resulted in a straight red card – despite appearing to get a toe on the ball.

Athletic Club went on to win the game in question 3-1, allowing them to progress 4-3 on aggregate. Hummels has posted on social media of contributing to Roma’s demise: "I am sorry! want to apologize to our fans and my teammates. I let everyone down today with a mistake that was simply stupid and horrendous. These games used to be the games my team could rely on me, now i fu**** up and cost the whole club the dream of winning the Europa League. Don’t know what else to say, I am as disappointed in me like all of you."

Collective focus at Roma is now being narrowed on a bid to secure a top-six standing in Serie A and European qualification for 2025-26. They sit seventh in the table at present, four points adrift of where they need to be with the likes of AC Milan and Fiorentina breathing down their neck.