“A dream come true”: special BVB debut in Wolfsburg | OneFootball

After BVB's late 2-1 winning goal in Wolfsburg, an 18-year-old talent suddenly comes into focus. Luca Reggiani experiences a moment in injury time that remains unforgettable for him.

Borussia Dortmund not only secured three important points in the championship race with their 2-1 away victory in Wolfsburg, but also wrote a very special story. In the final phase of the match, another BVB talent, Luca Reggiani, celebrated his Bundesliga debut – even if only for a few moments.

After Serhou Guirassy's late winning goal in the 87th minute, coach Niko Kovac relied on defensive stability in injury time. Maximilian Beier left the field, making way for the 18-year-old central defender Reggiani. The substitution was also meant to run down the clock, but it had much more significance. Kovac later explained: “We were under pressure. He is the central defender. And when long balls come, or you have to defend shots, you bring in established figures.”

For Reggiani himself, it was his first appearance in professional football – a moment he visibly enjoyed. “I am very, very happy. For me, a dream has come true, standing on this pitch, with these players, with this team – it is very beautiful,” said the Italian after the final whistle.

Reggiani's Big Moment: BVB Talent Celebrates Mini-Debut in Wolfsburg

On the pitch, he was immediately hugged by U19 colleague Mathis Albert, and later he incredulously put his hands over his face. That Reggiani came into the spotlight so quickly is also due to the tense personnel situation. In central defense, captain Emre Can and Filippo Mané were absent due to injury, and Aarón Anselmino had left the club in the winter.

This constellation unexpectedly opened the door to the pros for the 1.86-meter-tall defensive player. Reggiani had only moved from Sassuolo Calcio to Dortmund at the beginning of 2024 and had since established himself as a key player in the youth team.

At BVB, however, the personnel decision is part of a larger plan. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl emphasized after the game that the club consciously relies on its own talents. “These are clear strategic thoughts behind it,” Kehl explained to RUHR24 regarding the departures in winter. The goal is to give young players Bundesliga minutes in the second half of the season and to check their development at the highest level. “We want to increase permeability,” he made clear.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.