Philipp Treu returned to Freiburg with his first Germany cap after starting the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam. The SC Freiburg right-back played the full match in Jürgen Klopp’s first squad as national coach and made an immediate case to remain involved.
- Treu, 25, started at right-back against the Netherlands and completed 90 minutes.
- Germany drew 1-1, with Cody Gakpo scoring a late equaliser for the Dutch.
- Klopp selected Treu in his first Germany squad after the defender had previously gone uncapped despite right-back being a concern for the national side.
- Treu was rated 2.0 for his debut after contributing heavily on the flank and playing a key role in Germany’s opening goal.
- Jonathan Tah encouraged the Freiburg player to push forward and praised his running power.
- Klopp had briefed Treu on Gakpo, his former Liverpool player, noting the winger’s attacking quality and limited appetite for defensive tracking.
- Treu said he hoped to keep progressing after fulfilling a dream in front of his parents, who attended in Amsterdam.
- He cited Robert Andrich and Anton Stach as examples of players who earned Germany recognition later in their careers.
- Treu took his debut shirt home in a black bag and is considering hanging it in his living room.
What it changes in the Bundesliga week
Freiburg’s training ground has another full international to manage. Treu had already been one of the club’s strongest performers last season, when Freiburg reached the Europa League final, with his work along the right side a regular feature.
His Germany debut adds attention, but not a new role. Treu’s value remains his repeat running and willingness to overlap. Against the Netherlands, he repeatedly forced Gakpo into long recovery runs. That aggressive approach also helped create Germany’s opener.
The defender described his route as gradual rather than explosive. “I was not someone making this debut at 20,” he said. His plan was to improve step by step, catch competitors and accelerate when the opportunity arrived.
Klopp’s selection suggests Freiburg’s work has been noticed. Treu joked that it was good that someone had finally looked towards Freiburg. For the club, the immediate task is simpler: carry the same energy and availability into the next Bundesliga week.
