Mats Hummels expects to run a gauntlet of boos and whistles next Sunday on his first game back in the Bayern Munich shirt – away to his ex-club Borussia Dortmund.
The 27-year-old Germany defender, a product of the Bayern academy, signed for Dortmund in 2008, but has rejoined the Munich giants after eight years at their Bundesliga rivals.
Now his first competitive appearance back in the Bayern shirt will be at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park stadium on August 14 for the German Super Cup.
Having made his Germany debut, won the 2014 World Cup and back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 as a Dortmund player, Hummels returned to Bayern in a deal worth €35 million.
Shortly after, Hummels made his final appearance for Dortmund last May against Bayern when Borussia lost the German Cup final on penalties in Berlin.
And he expects a few boos and whistles from home fans in Dortmund.
“There are a few people who won’t receive me well, but I am looking forward to returning,” he admitted.
“And if the next 15 games I’m booed mercilessly, it won’t change my attitude and it won’t affect my performance.
“The boos from the Dortmund fans will come but it won’t change my appreciation (of the club). The game will be very special for me.
“The decision to move took a lot of strength and gave me a headache for a few weeks. It was a long and difficult process.
“Dortmund and Bayern are the only clubs I’ve played for, but Bayern are one of the top three teams in the world and have the chance to win everything every year.
“In the end, that was the decisive factor.”
Dortmund has finished second to Bayern in three of the last four seasons with Munich bidding for a fifth straight German league title this year with Carlo Ancelotti taking charge.
Also in the German Super Cup, Germany’s World Cup winner Mario Goetze will be lining up for Dortmund again after three frustrating years at Bayern under Pep Guardiola.
The 24-year-old has moved in the opposite direction to Hummels by signing a four-year contract for Borussia.
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