For Mats Hummels, his debut with AS Roma was one to quickly forget. Within four minutes, the German veteran scored an own goal in a heavy defeat.
The 35-year-old Mats Hummels, a seasoned German defender known for his reliable presence at the back, joined AS Roma on September 4 in a contract set to last until the summer.
His highly anticipated debut, however, turned into a nightmare, marking an unfortunate chapter in his otherwise decorated career. Sunday’s match saw Hummels finally take to the field after weeks on the bench, only to experience a disastrous few minutes. With his first touch, he inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net, gifting the opposing team a goal and adding to Roma’s mounting struggles in Serie A.
This incident did not go unnoticed by the Italian media, with Corriere dello Sport bluntly noting, "When Hummels scores an own goal with his first touch, it means that reality hits you in the face immediately. You’ve hit rock bottom." The commentary reflects the dismay that Roma fans feel about a season marred by inconsistency and unforced errors.
Corriere della Sera shared similar sentiments, describing the turn of events in the second half as a "farce," where Hermoso’s red card and Hummels’ own goal combined to create a tragicomic scene. The loss of composure on the field underscored Roma’s current struggles and the challenges they face in recovering their form. ESPN also weighed in on the unfortunate debut, calling it "an absolute nightmare." The American outlet detailed how, after being subbed in during the 67th minute, Hummels took just four minutes to inadvertently score for the opposition, amplifying the agony of an already embarrassing 5-1 loss.
Hummels’ debut, which was meant to be a fresh start, became an emblem of Roma’s woes, plunging the club further down the Serie A standings. Roma's drop to 11th place has intensified the scrutiny on Ivan Juric, the coach brought in mid-September to replace club legend Daniele De Rossi. Despite a promising start under Juric, the team’s recent performances have exposed deep-seated issues in strategy and mentality. Juric did not shy away from acknowledging the failure after the match, telling DAZN, "Our seven matches so far showed good focus, but tonight we had the wrong attitude, wrong mentality, wrong approach, and I really did not expect that." His comments underscore the frustration of a season where the team’s resolve has seemingly dissolved under pressure.
Roma’s fans, known for their passionate support, have been left to grapple with a series of disappointing performances that cast doubt on the squad's future. The match highlighted critical defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion, issues that Juric must address if he hopes to steer Roma back to form. With high expectations surrounding both Juric and Hummels, the club faces a pivotal period. The German defender, once renowned for his resilience and tactical acumen, now has the challenge of redeeming his debut in upcoming matches, while Juric, under increasing scrutiny, must work quickly to reset the team’s mindset and game plan.
The coming fixtures in Serie A and Europa League will be critical tests for both the team and the coaching staff, with fans hopeful for a turnaround that restores Roma's competitive edge. As the pressure builds, both Juric and Hummels find themselves in a race against time to salvage a season that many had hoped would bring renewed glory to Rome.
