Freiburg quartet react to first-time Germany call-ups: “More than a dream come true!”

Freiburg quartet react to first-time Germany call-ups: “More than a dream come true!” SC Freiburg’s remarkable start to the 2026/27 campaign has now yielded another reward. Four members of Julian Schuster’s Bundesliga leaders were among the 11 first-time senior internationals included in Jürgen Klopp’s first Germany squad . Philipp Treu, Max Rosenfelder, Yannik Engelhardt and Derry Scherhant will all report to the senior national team for the first time. Their nominations also provided perhaps the clearest club-specific theme in Klopp’s collection of new Germany call-ups . Klopp himself addressed the Freiburg-centric nature of his new squad, insisting that the quartet brought with them a special mentality that would prove beneficial to his team. All four SC players have now responded to their surprise nominations. Max Rosenfelder initially struggles to believe Klopp call Rosenfelder’s selection arguably came as the greatest surprise. The Freiburg-born central defender entered the season having rebuilt his standing during an uninterrupted preseason after injuries repeatedly disrupted his development. Rosenfelder has nevertheless recently returned to the bench, with Austrian international Philipp Lienhart again receiving the nod in central defense. The 23-year-old consequently admitted that he had “honestly not really expected” to be included. Klopp reached Rosenfelder while the defender was out walking his dog. Rosenfelder initially “couldn’t quite believe it.” The Germany newcomer now intends to “soak everything up and enjoy it, measure myself against the best and show what I can do.” For Rosenfelder, joining Treu and Engelhardt also carries special significance. All three previously played together for Freiburg’s reserve side. “I think I fit his style of play with a high defensive line,” Rosenfelder told Kicker . “With my pace I can cover a lot of ground at the back, and I also have my strengths on the ball. It [the four total nominations] is confirmation for the club that quite a lot is being done right here. That’s why it is very special for the three of us that we are allowed to go to the senior national team together.” Philipp Treu wants to show Germany exactly who he is Treu’s route to the Germany squad has involved leaving Freiburg and subsequently returning. The Heidelberg native developed in the SC academy before departing for St. Pauli in 2023. After establishing himself as a Bundesliga-level full-back in Hamburg, Freiburg brought Treu home for approximately €5 million in 2025 . Treu has since established himself as one of Freiburg’s most energetic and versatile wide defenders. Klopp has now offered the 25-year-old the opportunity to demonstrate that Germany may possess more options at right-back than sometimes assumed. Treu learned of his nomination while sitting on the couch watching the 2. Bundesliga conference. “I want to show who Philipp Treu is and give the fans joy with my intensity and with my style of play,” Treu said. “I want to show that I’m someone who never stops and always goes full throttle.” Yannik Engelhardt sees obvious Freiburg-Klopp connection Engelhardt, meanwhile, believes the connection between Freiburg’s football and Klopp’s preferred approach is relatively straightforward. The midfielder returned to the Breisgau this summer after developing away from the club. Having progressed through Freiburg’s reserve setup before leaving for Fortuna Düsseldorf, Engelhardt subsequently moved to Como and spent last season on loan with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Freiburg ultimately brought their former reserve player back after his strong Bundesliga campaign. The decision has paid immediate dividends. Engelhardt earned Man of the Match honors against Gladbach last weekend after bagging a brace against his former Bundesliga club. The Göttingen native has now earned his first senior German national team call-up at the age of 25, a full five years after he last represented Germany at U20 level. “I think he wants to play an intensely, which suits my game,” Engelhardt said of Klopp. “Lots of running, lots of work with and against the ball. That is what distinguishes us as Freiburg. That’s why a few Freiburg players have probably made it into the squad.” “You can develop mentality, but the club already pays attention to bringing in characters who have some of that within themselves and who live it,” Engelhardt continued. “We aren’t a super team like Bayern or Dortmund in terms of quality, but we compensate for that with a lot of passion and character.” Derry Scherhant finds it all surreal Scherhant’s path differs considerably from those of his three Freiburg teammates. The Berlin native did not come through Freiburg’s academy and spent the formative stages of his professional career at Hertha BSC. After joining Freiburg in 2025 , the winger initially operated primarily as an impact option behind Vincenzo Grifo. His role has expanded considerably since. Scherhant’s direct running, goal threat and increasing positional versatility eventually earned him more prominent Freiburg minutes. The 23-year-old has now taken another considerable step by moving from Germany U21 international to senior national-team player. “It means everything to me,” Scherhant said. “It’s more than a dream come true. It’s a little surreal.” Schuster sees call-ups as compliment to entire Freiburg squad Schuster understandably took some pride in watching four of his players earn their first senior Germany nominations. The Freiburg trainer also revealed that Klopp had spoken with him directly and wanted to know precisely “what roles the lads have in our team.” Schuster considers the nominations “confirmation of their individual development and a huge compliment to the entire team.” His instructions to the four players were simple. Schuster wants them to “carry across what distinguishes us here, together with all the values they embody here.” The SC trainer told Klopp that “the lads are good for any team” because of their attitude, application and willingness to work. Schuster consequently believes it can only help the German national team to “have those kinds of players in their ranks.” Freiburg’s contribution to the new Germany setup extends well beyond the four current SC players. As the club celebrates the 25th anniversary of its famed academy, multiple other members of Klopp’s squad — including Nico Schlotterbeck, Kevin Schade, Noah Atubolu and Mika Baur — also spent important developmental years in the Breisgau. GGFN  |  Peter Weis