One year after his cruciate ligament rupture, Malik Tillman’s world is back in order. After his strong debut in the German U 21s, the native of Nuremberg is now hoping for playing time in Munich.
A cruciate ligament rupture has set many an aspiring talent back for good. Not so Malik Tillman. A good year after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture in Bayern’s third league match against Dresden (3:0), the Nuremberg-born player, who recently signed his first professional contract and has committed himself to FC Bayern until 2024, celebrated a much-acclaimed debut for the German U-21 national team in Paderborn on Thursday.
“That’s certainly the dream of every young player, but that in itself doesn’t mean anything,” the younger brother of Fürth professional Timothy Tillman knows: “I still have to work on myself a lot.” Herrmann Gerland, who has been following his path for a long time – first in Munich and now as co-coach of the U21s – also tells him that. “He’s been supporting me for a long time and tries to get the best out of me because I have a lot of potential.” Stricter at times, too. “Our relationship has had ups and downs,” Tillman reveals meaningfully.
Next step at FC Bayern to follow
Someday soon, the next step is to follow at FC Bayern. Under Hansi Flick, Tillman was already part of the Munich matchday squad, and under Julian Nagelsmann he also made it into the squad against Cologne and in Leipzig, but was denied a call-up. The Bayern coach is not the only one who advises him to be more determined, more emotional and more unconventional. “I’m a rather quiet player,” is how the reserved young man characterises himself, “I have to come out of my shell more on the pitch, that’s what I’m trying to do.”
In the 3:2 win against Israel, he certainly succeeded in doing so. Tillmann pulled the strings in a dominant manner, scored his first goal, later failed to hit the crossbar and also set up Jonathan Burkardt’s winning goal with his head. He also worked hard against the ball and received a warning for a rude tackle.
The German-American once played for the USA at U15 level, “but I grew up in Germany and feel it is a special honour to wear the eagle on my chest”, and he is hoping for further appearances in the DFB squad. For the upcoming match in Hungary on Tuesday (17:30), he promises. “I will do everything in training to be in the starting eleven again”. And at the club? There he is eagerly awaiting his Bundesliga debut for Bayern. “I’m waiting for my chance and will then try to make the most of it.
