"An absolute leader": BVB U19 coach Hirschnagl on Reggiani's debut | OneFootball

Luca Reggiani will mark this day in red on his calendar. On February 7, 2026, the 18-year-old central defender made his professional debut in the 2-1 away win against VfL Wolfsburg. The personnel shortage at BVB made it possible.

However, the Italian couldn't put his feet up last weekend. The following day, Dortmund's U19 coach Felix Hirschnagl (41) included him in the starting lineup for the match in the A-Junioren Nachwuchsliga against Holstein Kiel. Reggiani experienced the dramatic 3-2 victory, which was only secured in the fifth minute of stoppage time, for the full duration on the pitch at the Hohenbuschei football park.

"Luca is just outstanding from week to week and from game to game," Hirschnagl praises the performances of the first-league debutant according to Reviersport. Even against Kiel, the youngster delivered a strong performance, impressing with his composure.

Reggiani missed the start of the new season due to a knee injury. He only returned to the field in mid-September. Since then, he has made 15 appearances across competitions, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

"Learning to deal with it"

"Due to his injury at the beginning of the season, he had a relatively difficult start," Hirschnagl recalls the weeks-long dry spell of the 36-time junior national player for Italy. But the time of suffering is over. "In the meantime, he has become an absolute leader for us. It's just great that he can gain his first experiences in the professional field on the pitch. He has earned it due to his attitude and his work," the coach of Dortmund's U19 is pleased.

Hirschnagl is convinced his protégé won't get carried away. "I think it will definitely push him, and he will manage it," emphasizes the football teacher and adds: "The crucial thing is that the boys learn that it can happen that they're not in the squad on the weekend or play in the second team when they become professionals. Or just as well collect minutes in the U23 and then have to step up again in the U19. They have to learn to deal with it because that's what the future holds for them if they're not undisputed regular players."

Reggiani could also switch between the Bundesliga squad and the U19 team in the future. "Exactly this issue will certainly come up again in the early phase of his career," says Hirschnagl. "That's why it's crucial to manage oneself well and always be able to focus on the present moment."

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