Eintracht newcomer Philipp Max was in a good mood and full of energy at his official presentation on Wednesday – and had a lot to say.
Looking forward to Frankfurt: Philipp Max.
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Philipp Max, the man on the left wing on loan from PSV Eindhoven with a purchase obligation (almost two million euros), spoke at his first press conference in Frankfurt about …
… PSV Eindhoven and the return to the Bundesliga: “I really enjoyed my time in Eindhoven, it was the right step. I played internationally and after two months I was allowed to play for Germany. Everything worked out the way I wanted it to. I was able to compete for a title with a top team play along, which was also successful (a cup win, two super cup wins, note d. editor).
But lately there has been a huge desire to play in the Bundesliga again. It burns inside me, I’m hungry. I want to prove myself again in the Bundesliga and pick up where I left off. When the opportunity arose to come to Eintracht, I didn’t have to think long. It’s no secret that Eintracht’s path has been sensational in recent years, marked by success.
At 29, it’s a huge opportunity for me to go full throttle in the Bundesliga and show my face. I am very grateful that those responsible at PSV made this step possible for me. Now I’ve also caught a sensational city. Frankfurt has everything to feel good. The team is intact and I was given a great reception.”
… the time before the change: “We had a very long winter break, so there was the first idea that something might work. I couldn’t get the whole thing out of my head because I saw it as the perfect way for me. In preparation for the In the second half of the season there were indications that something could really work.The talks then intensified in the last week before the end of the transfer.
In the two or three days before the end of the transfer, things got really hectic. I could understand the situation in Eindhoven, that a new player (Patrick van Aanholt, Ann. d. Red.) had to replace one-to-one. It worked, and that’s how it all came about. I am very, very happy and grateful that everything happened like this. The path taken in Frankfurt is sensational, I want to be a part of it in the long term.”
… his level of fitness: “A few weeks ago I had to sit out two games because of a flu infection. But otherwise everything is fine. The training sessions were great, I feel really good. We had a long preparation, I’m fit and ready.”
… his goals in the second half of the season: “First of all, I’ll make sure that I get into the team well. You can tell that the team is very motivated and eager for success, they’ve shown that in recent years. There’s so much hunger in there that we’re aiming for everything possible. I want to be a part of it and do my best to help as much as I can.”
Reunion in Frankfurt: Philipp Max and Mario Götze (right). 
IMAGO/Revierfoto
… his style of play: “Of course I’ve seen a few Eintracht games and I know how intense the team is. I feel like I’m in good hands there. In Roger Schmidt, we had a coach in the last two seasons who played exactly this kind of football, in another system, but with the same basic idea.
I see myself in an offensive position so that I can get into my deep runs and put good balls in front of goal. Creating dangerous situations is my thing. It’s a bit easier in a five-man chain than in a four-man chain. I can always stand very high there. That’s why I like the system.”
… the reunion with Mario Götze, with whom he played for PSV for two years: “I was in constant contact with Mario, he only told me positive things about Eintracht and the football here. You can also see from his performance that he feels very comfortable maybe something else could work.
We were very happy when we met again. In the early days in Eindhoven, Mario played more in the half position, in the second year he was more of a free spirit in the tenth position. He’s sensational at finding spaces. Over the two years in Eindhoven we got to know each other well on the pitch, but he also helps me privately. If something is wrong, I can always ask him. That’s a huge advantage.”
… Roger Schmidt and Oliver Glasner: “Roger Schmidt wants to play active, intensive football: high pressing, quick ball wins, short distances to the goal. I too want you to switch quickly, get a lot of free space and press quickly. That fits well. Roger Schmidt has one too Worked together with Oliver Glasner for a while (in Salzburg, Anm. d. Red.), there are many parallels. So that’s a very good thing for me.”
… a possible return to the national team: “Once you get a taste of that air, you want to go back there. I’ve been there twice. The first time it didn’t end so well with 0-6 in Spain, but before that it was a very good time (3-1 against Ukraine , 1-0 against the Czech Republic, editor’s note). The Bundesliga is definitely more in focus. If you show good performances there, you always have the opportunity to offer yourself. That’s of course one of my goals. ”
