Borussia Dortmund’s Luca Reggiani celebrates his professional debut and a six-point weekend. His coach reveals what the talented defender now has to deal with.

There are days in the life of a soccer player that you never forget. February 7 was one such day for Luca Reggiani. The 18-year-old made his professional debut in Borussia Dortmund’s away game at VfL Wolfsburg. With the score at 2-1 to BVB, the center back came on as a substitute in the 95th minute, getting his first taste of Bundesliga action. “A dream came true,” he later wrote under a picture of his substitution on Instagram. Less than 24 hours later, Reggiani laced up his boots again for the Black and Yellows. In this case, however, it was for the U19 team, which faced Holstein Kiel in the opening game of the DFB Youth League main round.

The BVB youth team ultimately won 3-2, with Reggiani also making a contribution. The center back exuded total calm on the ball. He was able to draw attention to himself with his composed actions in defense. It is therefore not surprising that his coach has also noticed Reggiani’s positive development.

“Luca is simply outstanding from week to week and from game to game,” says U19 coach Felix Hirschnagl, adding: “He had a relatively difficult start due to his injury at the beginning of the season. But now he is an absolute leader for us. It’s great that he’s able to gain his first professional experience on the pitch. He’s earned it with his attitude and hard work.”

They have to learn to deal with it, because that’s what the boys can expect in the future if they’re not undisputed regulars.

Felix Hirschnagl

Making your professional debut for a club with the charisma of Borussia Dortmund can have different consequences. Ideally, a player will take advantage of the trust placed in him and convert it into even better performances. The downside is a mindset along the lines of: I’ve already made it.

However, Hirschnagl is not worried about Reggiani. “I think it will definitely push him and he’ll get it sorted,” he says. The coach goes on to explain: “The key thing is that the boys learn that when you become a professional, you may not be in the squad at the weekend or you may play in the second team. Or that they might get minutes in the U23s and then have to go back to the U19s. They have to learn to deal with that, because that’s what will happen to them in the future if they’re not undisputed regulars.”

Referring to Reggiani, Hirschnagl concluded: “This is exactly the issue that will certainly come up again for him in the early stages of his career. That’s why it’s crucial to manage yourself well and always be able to focus on the present moment.”

If Reggiani plays for the U19s on the upcoming match day, he will return to a place that will probably always hold fond memories for him. The BVB youth team will be playing away at VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday, February 14, at 12 noon.