In 2017, he was worth 20 million euros to Dortmund. What can Maximilian Philipp (30) still achieve seven years later? After an overall weak season, SC Freiburg have clear expectations of the returnee.
Just two points in 22 competitive matches: Maximilian Philipp. IMAGO/Beautiful Sports
The comeback is like something out of a cheesy Hollywood sports hero movie. The prodigal son returns home after seven years in the wide world, is pampered a bit and, five days after his return, scores the winning goal in his first appearance as a substitute shortly before the final whistle. That’s what happened to Maximilian Philipp at the end of August 2023.
Philipp is overwhelmed by his emotions after Freiburg’s 1-0 home victory against Werder Bremen, which he secured with a strong direct shot. Also because of the very warm reception from the fans.
He was never as good as he was with us.
Freiburg’s former coach Christian Streich about Philipp
“I know every move Milli makes, and he knows every meeting. When he left, he was in top shape. He was never as good as he was with us,” says coach Christian Streich today, and of course he has in mind to get Philipp closer to his top form again.
The technically skilled and dynamic offensive power was not able to call on this for a longer period of time either in Dortmund, Dynamo Moscow, Wolfsburg or Bremen. In 2016/17, Philipp played a major role in securing the European Cup ticket for the then promoted team from Freiburg, who surprisingly finished seventh, with nine goals and three assists, and made a huge impression on the BVB officials. They paid a whopping 20 million euros for a transfer fee, and three weeks later Philipp became U-21 European champion with the DFB selection.
Trust as a basic requirement
Philipp was on the verge of a potentially great career. But the sensitive 1.83-meter man needs to feel completely comfortable, and above all, to feel the trust of those in charge, in order to be able to reach his full potential. The Berlin native will not find these demanding conditions anywhere else after his time in Freiburg.
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Is Philipp perhaps not mentally well-equipped enough for the tough professional business that is so common in many places? The conclusion is not far off. But last summer he remembered that one feel-good club on the other side of the country that convinced him to come from Cottbus as an 18-year-old. In the four and a half years at SC, he matured – especially under the leadership of Streich and his staff – into a sought-after professional.
Philipp also played his part in the disappointing season result
What can this professional achieve now, at the age of 30? Almost nine months after his dream comeback, there is not much left of the happiness. The SC, which has grown during Philipp’s six-year absence, slipped from 8th to 10th place on the last match day, missing out on the third European Cup ticket in a row.
A disappointment that also has something to do with Philipp, because after his goal against Werder, hardly anything else came. Only the winning goal from the substitute a month later in the Europa League in Piraeus (3:2) was all he scored in 22 competitive matches (only twice in the starting eleven) until the end of the season.
Under no circumstances should the impression be created that he is letting something fade away.
Sports Director Klemens Hartenbach
Even though Philipp will be out for two months from the end of October due to a shoulder injury, this is a poor record, but it does activate the obligation to buy agreed with Wolfsburg. Philipp will therefore stay in Freiburg for longer and will be clearly required to improve.
Sports director Klemens Hartenbach demands “more sharpness and determination” in Philipp’s training. “He has to step it up, also for himself. He’s not 36, but actually still at a prime age. Under no circumstances should the impression be created that he’s letting something fade away,” says Hartenbach.
Quality and framework conditions are right: What Hartenbach demands
His mentor Streich is gone, and now Philipp has to work hard under his former teammate Julian Schuster. “Of course he has competition, but he can’t be satisfied with being the man for the last 20 minutes. His aim must be to fight for a place,” says Hartenbach, because the sports director is still convinced of this player’s qualities.
“He can decide a game in the last 30 meters, with a great final pass or with his finishing ability,” praises Hartenbach. Precisely because the conditions are right, he stresses: “Milli has to put himself in a mental and physical position to be able to do that at any time. That’s what we demand of him.” So that the sporting success of the return goes beyond the two winning goals at the beginning.
2024-06-25 14:26:59
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