Hummels: "It's difficult to make it look easy"

Defending champions FC Bayern München got off to a flying start in the 54th Bundesliga season, despatching SV Werder Bremen with a 6-0 victory on Friday evening. World Champion Mats Hummels made his league debut for FCB after having rejoined the club from Borussia Dortmund this summer. After the game, the 27-year-old talked about the clear victory, his bond to the new team and Bayern's tactical orientation.

Question: Mr. Hummels, what is your verdict on the 6-0 victory over Bremen to start of the season?

Mats Hummels: It was a relatively easy game to start things off. But it's difficult to make it look easy. It's always necessary to say focused both in defence and attack. We did that for almost the entire game. We only had a few minutes in this match where we played slightly risky passes. But overall we can be very satisfied, as we gave our opponents, who came here with many underlying problems, no chance whatsoever to express themselves.

Question: Was this already a signal to the rest of the league?

Hummels: It would be nice if that is the case. But I think one game is not enough for that.

Question: Is Ancelotti's thumbprint already visible in your game?

Hummels: I was already asked what the differences were (editor's note: compared to Guardiola). But I can't really say, since I wasn't here. I'm pretty sure though that some of the past tactics are still embedded here. Great managers have worked here and great managers are working here still. They all naturally share some views on how the game should be played. That's why it's normal for some things to change, but a large part of our game will remain very similar.

Question: How strong is your bond with the team already?

Hummels: It was really easy to establish a bond and went very quickly. The mere fact that I knew almost half of the squad from the national team made it easy. And when you've played against these players for all these years you also have a bond with them already. That's why it really went quite quickly, as a certain harmony was already in place just a few days after I arrived.

Question: It was noticeable that Franck Ribéry and Thomas Müller often moved into the centre from their respective wings. Could you point out which tactical measures were particularly important today?

Hummels: We obviously want to remain versatile and we want to have certain positions occupied in attack and defence. When you then create problems for the opponent by making runs, which is what Bayern have done for the past few years now, I know from experience how difficult it is to defend against them. It's certainly a measure that can create open space.

Question: Does anything change for the centre back when the full-backs push forward a lot?

Hummels: In Dortmund they also played like wingers almost. Therefore it doesn't make a difference for me.

Question: Do you feel that Ancelotti is the type of coach, who allows a lot of liberties?

Hummels: On and off the pitch. But the attitude and our performances have to be on point as well. I think that the moment when this would change, it would be clear that some of these liberties are taken from us. But I also think that this team allows that approach, simply because the self-motivation of every single player is extremely distinctive. In every training session and in every game we look to produce good performances.

Question: What are your thoughts on facing Augsburg in the Cup?

Hummels: I'm happy about the draw, because we are playing at home. I think every team feels unpleasant when they have to come here. We will be favourites.