Mats Hummels spews at missed Rangers opportunity as hurting Roma veteran issues grovelling X rated apology
The German defender picked up a red card after just 11 minutes as Athletic Bilbao set up a quarter-final showdown with Rangers
Roma defender Mats Hummels has held his hands up for a howler that cost his side a trip to Ibrox.
The World Cup winning German, 36, saw red after just 11 minutes of his side's last 16 second leg with Athletic Bilbao after cheaply giving the ball away in his own half and chopping down Maroan Sannadi.
It proved a key moment in the tie as Bilbao went on to overturn a first leg deficit to win 3-1 on the night, 4-3 on aggregate, and booked a powder keg Europa League quarter-final against Barry Ferguson's Rangers.
Posting on his Instagram page, the devastated former Dortmund man said: "I am sorry AS Roma . I want to apologise to our fans and my teammates. I let everyone down today with a mistake that was simply stupid and horrendous.
"These games used to be the games my team could rely on me, now I f***** up and cost the whole club the dream of winning the Europa League. Don‘t know what else to say, I am as disappointed in me like all of you."
Hummels' boss, Leicester City icon Claudio Ranieri, also had no complaints about the decision - as he praised the defender's teammates for keeping themselves in the game. The Italian said: "Yes, it was a clear and obvious red card.
"He wasted time; he should have passed the ball to the left, but he didn’t. It happens, he’s a great champion, but it happens. Despite that, I want to congratulate the team, as the lads remained united in difficult moments and fought to the maximum.”
Trailing 2-1 after a stoppage time goal from Eldor Shomurodov after the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico, the early red card sparked Bilbao into a stirring comeback in front of their own supporters.
A double from livewire Nico Williams, a star of Euro 2024, and Yuri Berchiche effort helped the hosts power in front and though Leandro Paredes scored a penalty late on, it was not enough to force the tie into extra time.
Domestically Bilbao meanwhile sit fourth in La Liga, eight points behind leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Basque side finished second in the Europa League table, tied on points with league phase winners Lazio - losing just one of their eight matches.
Rangers meanwhile saw off Fenerbahce on penalties after 2-0 loss at Ibrox, earning themselves another bumper European payday for securing their spot in the last eight of the competition. They will host the first leg n Glasgow on Thursday April 10 with the second a week later on April 17.
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