Kovac rewards BVB gem: 17-year-old gets first-team chance | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund's U19 is clearly eliminated from the Youth League, but one personnel decision still makes positive headlines. Top talent Samuele Inacio gets to prove himself in the professional training.

After the bitter exit from the Youth League, there is still positive news at Borussia Dortmund: Offensive talent Samuele Inacio gets to prove himself in professional training this week. The BVB U19 lost the UEFA Youth League round of 16 clearly with 0:4 at AZ Alkmaar on Tuesday. Despite the clear result, a personnel decision followed that drew attention. Inacio, who was substituted at halftime, is now on the field with the professionals.

U19 coach Felix Hirschnagl explained the measure after the match: “Samuele will be training with the professionals from tomorrow. Therefore, there was an agreement that he would play 45 minutes for us. That's what we're here for, and we're happy that he gets the chance.”

The 17-year-old Italian has been considered one of the most exciting talents in Dortmund's youth for months. In the current season, he has made numerous appearances for the U19, scored several goals, and assisted others. At the turn of the year, he was already permanently promoted to the U23 and gained his first match practice in the Regionalliga West.

BVB Boss Ricken Raves About Jewel Inacio

Inacio is no longer a stranger to the professionals either. He was already allowed to get a taste of the winter training camp in Marbella under head coach Niko Kovac and left a strong impression. Now follows the next test – precisely in the week before the Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg.

The sporting leadership also holds Inacio in high regard. Sporting director Lars Ricken recently raved: “He is a number ten as you rarely find anymore.” Inacio brings a lot of offensive quality, is strong in dribbling, dangerous in front of goal, and also works reliably against the ball.

The current plan is for Inacio to continue mainly playing for the U23. However, the sessions with the professionals are considered a clear recognition of his performances – and a signal to the fans who have long been hoping for more permeability from the youth ranks.

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