"We know him and his talent" – Martínez explains decision to bring Tillman into Leverkusen's starting XI
| Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images |
After starting on the bench in two consecutive games, Malik Tillman was restored to Bayer Leverkusen's starting line-up for Sunday's 2-1 Bundesliga win over 1. FC Köln.
Having been criticised for failing to live up to expectations since his €35 million move from PSV in the summer of 2025, the 24-year-old United States international was handed a rare start and impressed head coach Carles Martínez.
"It wasn't easy for Malik. I know he had to deal with a lot of criticism, but we know him and his talent," Martínez explained at the press conference after the game.
"I thought today was the right day, in this atmosphere and setting. Tactically, too, I felt Malik could create something alongside Ibo," the Leverkusen coach continued, referring to his partnership with Ibrahim Maza.
“We were sure he was the right player, and he responded with a very good performance.”
Tillman will now link up with the United States national team for their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti.
