Luca Reggiani Shines in Dortmund’s Champions League Victory

omidbasir- Borussia Dortmund secured a crucial Champions League victory against Atalanta Bergamo last night, largely due to the commendable performance of young defender Luca Reggiani. The 18-year-old Italian centre-back made his first start for the Bundesliga club, demonstrating remarkable poise and helping the team maintain a clean sheet. Both head coach Niko Kovac and sporting director Sebastian Kehl expressed their admiration for the young talent.

Reggiani had made his Bundesliga debut just 11 days prior, briefly appearing as a substitute in a league match against Wolfsburg before playing the entire second half in last Friday’s victory over Mainz. Having joined Dortmund’s U17 squad from US Sassuolo’s academy in February 2024 for a modest transfer fee, Reggiani made the jump directly to the first team, skipping the reserve side altogether.

In the interim between his two Bundesliga appearances, Reggiani also excelled as a starter for the U19s, contributing to a significant youth league win. His U19 coach, Felix Hirschnagl, was not surprised by the teenager’s ability to adapt and thrive at a higher level. In an interview with Kicker, Hirschnagl expressed confidence in Reggiani’s ongoing development.

“Reggiani is getting better and better every week,” Hirschnagl stated. “After a challenging start due to a knee injury, he has emerged as a true leader. His professional debut is a testament to his dedication and hard work. He’s quite the warrior.”

Niko Kovac, speaking at his post-match press conference last Friday, indicated that he is prepared to utilize the youngster more frequently, highlighting Reggiani’s 45 minutes of play as a “great debut.” Kehl also praised the defender’s performance in the mixed zone after the match.

“I told him before the match to savor this special moment,” Kovac remarked. “He performed exceptionally well. It brings me joy to see young players of such quality being recognized.”

Kehl added, “He managed to keep his nerves under control remarkably well. Although I believe he received a harsh yellow card in the 18th minute, he handled himself very maturely, especially in the second half. He kept his play straightforward and fulfilled his responsibilities.”

GGFN | Peter Weis