Horror debut! Hummels finally makes his debut for AS Roma, but then this happens

Florence - He waits weeks for his debut, jokes about being a benchwarmer even on social media and then this: Mats Hummels (35) finally celebrated his debut at AS Roma, but it was a day to forget for the central defender.

Mats Hummels was signed on September 4 and finally made his debut for AS Roma on October 27.
Mats Hummels was signed on September 4 and finally made his debut for AS Roma on October 27.  © IMAGO / AFLOSPORT

The ex-Dortmund player had to wait almost two months for his first appearance in the Europa League.

The time had finally come on Sunday, but the task could not have been more difficult for the former Germany national team defender. Coach Ivan Juric (49) threw Hummels into the match in the 67th minute with the score at 1:4 at AC Florence.

Two minutes earlier, defender Mario Hermoso (29) had been shown a yellow card, leaving Roma with just ten players. The coach changed his tactics, taking off the attacking Paulo Dybala (30) and substituting a central defender in the form of the German.

But instead of giving the defense more stability in the final phase, as he had hoped, he made an unfortunate gaffe.

Just four minutes after coming on as a substitute, Mats Hummels scores an own goal to make it 1:5

The ex-national team player's debut could not have been more unfortunate. After four minutes, he scored an own goal with his head.
The ex-national team player's debut could not have been more unfortunate. After four minutes, he scored an own goal with his head.  © IMAGO / AFLOSPORT

After a corner, the Florentine Christian Kouamé (26), who came on as a substitute in the same minute as Hummels, headed the ball over.

The ball was then directed onto the head of Hummels, who actually put the ball into his own net just four minutes after coming on to make it 1:5 (71st minute). The former DFB star immediately bent his upper body down, unable to believe the drama.

On the one hand, this is unlikely to have increased his chances with the coach for further appearances. The Croatian had recently explained tellingly: "I don't pay attention to age and CV. I just look at who gives me more confidence."

On the other hand, with Hermoso now suspended for one match in the league, Hummels would certainly be an alternative in the back three.

Roma's next game is already scheduled for Thursday, when they host Torino FC at their own stadium. We will then see whether the own goal has further diminished the coach's confidence in Hummels.