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Banter Bar exclusive interview with Borussia Dortmund legend Patrick Owomoyela

By Brian Szlenk Straub

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 17: Patrick Owomoyela of Dortmund is seen after winning the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park on March 17, 2012 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 17: Patrick Owomoyela of Dortmund is seen after winning the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park on March 17, 2012 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Mats Hummels (C) celebrates scoring the 2-0 with Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez (L) and defender Patrick Owomoyela during their Bundesliga football match Cologne vs Borussia Dortmund on January 17, 2010 at the Rheinenergiestadion in Cologne. AFP PHOTO DDP / JUERGEN SCHWARZ GERMANY
Mats Hummels (C) celebrates scoring the 2-0 with Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez (L) and defender Patrick Owomoyela during their Bundesliga football match Cologne vs Borussia Dortmund on January 17, 2010 at the Rheinenergiestadion in Cologne. AFP PHOTO DDP / JUERGEN SCHWARZ GERMANY /

Most Influential new signing and the return of Mats Hummels

When asked about which of the new signings has had the most impact, the answer Owomoyela gave me was very definitive: Mats Hummels. The re-signing of Hummels was a controversial one over the summer; a move that split opinions among Dortmund fans. The manner of his exit was one of the things that weighed on people’s minds, but here was the other side of the coin to consider as well: How much could the former captain bring to the team in the coming season? His performances in the season prior and age had many feeling that Dortmund should look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.

According to Owo however, the addition of Hummels has been a relatively seamless one, and his presence both on and off the pitch have been extremely beneficial:

"“He is a strong personality and he is very experienced and he has a clear focus on what he wants to achieve and things he wants to achieve with the team. He speaks out and that’s always important to have these kinds of leaders in a team. We have a few of those, but Mats brings again something special with him.”"

A strong leader in the defensive third of the pitch was something Dortmund desperately needed in the second half of last season; a player with experience who could help rally and marshal the backline, but also a player with a serial winning mentality, something Hummels certainly picked up in his first stint with Dortmund, and then refined while at Bayern. It has to be said that Hummels has undoubtedly been one of Dortmund’s best defensive players this season, something Owo was quick to highlight, indicating that his performances for Dortmund have been greatly appreciated so far this season:

"“…we always knew what we lost when he went to Bayern, and obviously Bayern didn’t appreciate what he brings to the table, but we sure do and he has shown that not just [against teams like] Barcelona where he was just fantastic and brilliant, but in overall all of his games and in every practice he has proven that he is exactly the kind of personality that this team really needs, [especially when we have]…all these young players and now having somebody to take them by the head and guide them.”"

Hummels once again showed his quality for the team this season with a solid showing against Freiburg. Despite this weekend’s draw, Hummels put in an immense shift by putting in some precise tackles that show the former captain still has a lot to offer the team. He also showed how much of a fighter he is despite having his ankle almost snapped in a crunching tackle close to the end of the second half. He endured the boos and jeers of the Freiburg faithful and continued to play through the pain, doing what he could for the team in the final minutes of the game.