MX23RW : Wednesday, April 24 09:32:41| >> :120:7673:7673:

Mats Hummels: 'We must keep the ball against Real Madrid'

Hummels: 'Possession key against Madrid'
© AP Photos
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels believes that retaining the ball will be key against Real Madrid.

Mats Hummels has insisted that long spells of possession will be vital if Borussia Dortmund are to beat Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The German club were unbeaten in the two matches against Madrid in the group stage, beating Jose Mourinho's side 2-1 and recording a 2-2 draw in the Spanish capital.

Hummels believes that his team must keep the ball well if they are to reach the final at Wembley.

"Ball possession will be a key factor against Real Madrid," the defender told FIFA.com.

"I remember our match at the Santiago Bernabeu during the group stage. In the second half we did not have the ball for longer than 10 seconds before we lost it again, and then it is really difficult against them."

The first leg of the tie takes place on Wednesday evening.

ID:80446: cacheID:80446:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1904:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Bayer Leverkusen player Daniel Carvajal (right) challenges for the ball with Bayern Munich player Xherdan Shaqiri during their sides match on October 28, 2012
Read Next:
Carvajal: Real "have the edge" against Dortmund
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!