Thanks to the trainer fox

“Monumental!” Mocked Hummels now celebrated

Mats Hummels (r.)(Bild: AP)

For months, world champion Mats Hummels had to stew on the bench at AS Roma, acted unhappily - when he did play - and was sometimes ridiculed. Now the Italians are singing the praises of the 35-year-old German: "Professor Hummels" is "monumental", "a great champion" and "an absolute leader".

Since Claudio Ranieri took over as coach at the crisis club, Hummels has always played. On Saturday, the coaching legend was able to celebrate a victory with the Romans for the first time - the "Giallorossi" deservedly won 4:1 against Lecce. Hummels played a big part in the commanding victory.

(Bild: AP/ap)

"Professor Hummels gives Rome wings," wrote the Roman daily newspaper "Il Messaggero". The German world champion deserves "a long round of applause for his style and the way he stops his opponents - with the aplomb of a great champion". The question arises as to why former coach Ivan Jurcic did not use him, according to the "Messaggero".

Claudio Ranieri(Bild: APA/Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse)

Hummels was "monumental" against Lecce and "took on the role of absolute leader", praised the "Corriere dello Sport". "With Hummels, Roma have turned things around and dispelled the spectre of relegation," wrote Tuttosport.

Ranieri saw it coming
A few weeks ago, it had sounded very different. After some very unfortunate short spells in charge, Mats Hummels had come in for a lot of criticism and had to put up with a lot of scorn. Ranieri had already announced when he took over in November that the defender would still be very important for his team this season.

"I believe that this man can be not just good, but exceptional in the Roma defense. The fans will be delighted when they rediscover the champion they admired in Germany," promised coach Ranieri. That's how it actually turned out ...