Dortmund is facing off against one of the biggest teams in the world this weekend in the Champions League Final. It will really take every single person on the pitch, substitutions on the bench, coaching staff, and athletic staff to ensure that Borussia Dortmund has a fighting chance against the Spanish La Liga winners.
You would think that almost every single member of the Dortmund team would be on their own country’s respective national teams. But one of the key players on the Dortmund squad has been snubbed and left out of the Euros squad, which is quite a surprise considering the role he has played in the Bundesliga campaign and Champions League run so far this year.
Borussia Dortmund Stalwart Left out of Euros List for Germany
Locked in for Saturday 🔒 pic.twitter.com/07CKHHrraE
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 29, 2024
Germany faces off in the Euros this upcoming summer. The Euros gives a chance for every country in Europe to play against one another and see who is the “top” country in terms of international players, domestic football leagues, and tactics. Coaches have to choose only the best of the best, so squad selection is a tedious and arduous task.
It seems as though one of Dortmund’s key players, Hummels, has been left out of the Euros squad list for 2024. This comes at the same time that Hummels, one of the veteran players on the team, has also criticized Terzic’s interesting tactics only a couple of days before one of the biggest games for the club. It is not a good week for Hummels.
‘I was furious because I was of the opinion Borussia Dortmund shouldn’t play like that – against any opponent in the world. I didn’t think it could go on like this. I felt insulted…so submissive, so inferior in footballing terms. There was a barricade with 11 men in the box.’
Hummels is referencing the two games leading up to the end of the Bundesliga, where Dortmund managed to squeak by with close wins and draws against Leverkusen and Stuttgart. Hummels doesn’t want to play an extremely defensive style, which means all of the players on Borussia are behind the ball, hoping the other team doesn’t score. He wants to play a more well-rounded, attacking style of football.
After critiquing the manager’s playing style and tactics before the CL final, he also noted his snub for the Euros list – but an understanding of why the decision was made.
‘I can understand the idea that a group has been growing since March. It’s bitter for me as an individual because I”m currently one of the five best defenders in Germany….If I’d had a phase like the one I had recently before the squad was announced in March, maybe I would have been called up – for the European Championship squad now as well.’
Dortmund Looking Forward
Dortmund is currently in the works to have one of the biggest upsets in footballing history if they can best Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Real Madrid has won almost every single time they have made it to the final stage, losing only three out of 18 matches – with their last CL final loss more than 40 years ago. If Dortmund can follow their coach’s tactics, they might be able to frustrate the other team, sit in a low block to avoid goals and prevent any shots from hitting the target.
Hopefully, Hummels can get on the same page as his manager and lead the team to victory this weekend.
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
