Mats Hummels: We didn’t really turn up

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels was impressed with the Aviva Stadium atmosphere in Thursday night’s defeat by the Republic of Ireland, but refused to accept that it played any part in Germany’s downfall.

“It was quite special after the full-time whistle,” acknowledged Hummels, in an interview with the German FA website. “Prior to that it was actually quite quiet, and I think we did well to keep them subdued through our style of play. There wasn’t much time for the Irish to genuinely think they were going to win — only right at the end.”

Hummels described a downcast German dressing room after the shock loss, which means the world champions require another point from their final group game against Georgia to confirm Euro 2016 qualification.