Borussia Dortmund head coach Marco Rose confirmed in the team’s press conference on Friday that American teenager Gio Reyna could already be in line to start on Sunday against Union Berlin.
Reyna made his long-awaited comeback last weekend after a five-month absence, playing the final 30 minutes of Dortmund’s 5-2 home loss to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.
The American’s return to the field couldn’t have come at a better time for Rose, who sees his Dortmund team in the midst of a minor injury crisis. In addition to superstar forward Erling Haaland, a number of important contributors are out for one reason or another.
When asked whether the situation might force his hand to already insert Reyna in the starting lineup, particularly considering his solid comeback the week before, the coach briskly answered “Yes,” initially offering no further comment.
Following an awkward silence, he hedged, “But now, please don’t be angry if he’s not in the starting eleven.”
He went on to explain his initial attempt at only offering a simple, if slightly grumpy answer, “You were asking me now if Reyna will play from the start.”
“Well, he is an option, because he’s in a good shape, and because he’s fit,” he continued, adding in the teasing conclusion, “But yeah.”
Despite their heavy loss to Leverkusen last week, Dortmund are still favorites to take second place in the final Bundesliga standings behind FC Bayern, although will have a tough time in Berlin, with Union currently in fifth and eager to climb into the Champions League places.
The teams kick off at 9:30am Eastern US time on Sunday.
