Mats Hummels Sent Off After Just 11 Minutes in Europa League Match

Rome, Italy — Mats Hummels endured a challenging night for AS Roma in their Europa League Round of 16 clash against Athletic Bilbao on March 13, 2025. The veteran defender was shown a red card merely 11 minutes into the match following a crucial mistake in defensive play.

While the scoreboard reflected a 0-0 tie, Hummels committed a vital error when a misplaced pass in midfield led to an opportunity for Bilbao’s Maroan Sannadi. As the last defender, Hummels attempted to recover by challenging Sannadi but ended up bringing him down. Referee Clément Turpin wasted no time in issuing a red card, a decision that was upheld by the Video Assistant Referee.

Hummels was visibly distraught, exchanging a brief handshake with Roma head coach Claudio Ranieri before heading to the locker room. This red card marked Hummels’ first ejection wearing the Roma jersey, although he had previously received a similar punishment during his tenure with Borussia Dortmund in December 2023.

Despite the setback, Hummels had shown promise in recent performances, earning praise from Ranieri after an impressive display in Serie A against Empoli. “Mats’ performance was excellent,” Ranieri noted after the 1-0 win, where Hummels played a central role in defense after being reinstated to the starting lineup.

Since February, Hummels has played only two out of eight official matches, and he has completed a full 90 minutes just seven times this season. With his contract nearing its end, questions remain about whether he will renew his commitment to the club.

Fans on social media expressed mixed reactions regarding the red card, debating whether Hummels’ tackle constituted a foul. Furthermore, history was made as this incident marked one of the earliest send-offs in the knockout stages of the Europa League; the last player to receive a red card earlier was Sime Vrsaljko in the 10th minute while playing for Atlético Madrid, also under referee Turpin.

As AS Roma heads into the second leg of the tie, they hold a slight advantage with a 2-1 win from the first match. A draw would be sufficient for Roma to advance to the quarter-finals, but Hummels’ early exit has added pressure on the squad to maintain their lead without their experienced defender.

In his own words, Hummels expressed hopes for a quick turnaround for both himself and his former club, Borussia Dortmund, which has been struggling this season. He remarked, “I hope they can get back on track soon.”