"?Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel insists that he does not hold any ill-feeling toward his former club captain Mats Hummels moving to bitter rivals Bayern Munich.
Hummels will return to the Signal Iduna Park on Sunday evening when Dortmund take on Munich in the DFL Supercup, German season's curtain-raiser, likely to be sound-tracked by a chorus of boos and jeers for the central defender who spent seven years at the club.
Tuchel, however, says he understands Hummels' decision to leave, despite the fact that it strengthens Bayern's grip on the Bundesliga title.
"Borussia Dortmund fans should show their gratitude to Mats Hummels." -- Thomas Muller. https://t.co/Dep5U2mhdb pic.twitter.com/ZIfXiT1pjy
"Mats has made the decision to join one of the best clubs in the world," Tuchel said at a news conference.
"He has gone to a club that are actually a step up from Dortmund. But it is obviously very bitter that he has strengthened a direct rival by doing so. There is no doubt about that.
"It will be very hard to end Bayern's dominance. They have not lost any key players and have strengthened even further with Mats.
"But we are in no way offended by his decision and are not holding it against him."
Tuchel also said he is looking forward to seeing Mario Gotze turn out in yellow after the attacking midfielder moved in the opposite direction, returning to Dortmund after a frustrating spell at the Allianz Arena where he couldn't consistently nail down a starting berth.
"Mario is a Borussia Dortmund player and should be supported by our fans. I expect this to be the case on Sunday against Bayern as well," Tuchel said.