Hummels’ Red Card Seals Roma’s Fate Against Athletic Club
In a dramatic Europa League encounter, Roma's hopes were dashed early when Mats Hummels received a red card just 14 minutes into the match against Athletic Club. The incident, as reported by Football Italia, saw Hummels sent off for a foul on Athletic's Inaki Williams, leaving Roma to play with ten men for the majority of the game.
Claudio Ranieri, speaking to the press, was clear about the impact of the red card, stating it was a turning point that cost Roma dearly. The absence of Hummels not only disrupted Roma's defensive strategy but also saw them lose control of the midfield, where Athletic's Valverde shone brightly.
Gianluca Mancini, reflecting on Roma's exit from the Europa League, admitted the challenge of playing a man down but emphasized the need for the team to regroup and focus on domestic competitions. Leandro Paredes, another Roma player, expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic about moving forward despite the setback.
