Gio Reyna expects Borussia Dortmund to “do great things and fight for trophies” this season
Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna is entering an important year of his development with the club. He expects the club to fight for trophies this season.
Gio Reyna is entering his second full season as a Borussia Dortmund first team player, and it may be hard for those who don’t follow the club closely to believe that at the young age of 18 years, he is growing into quite an important player for Die Schwarzgelben. Dortmund have tendency of helping develop top young talent and giving them a chance on the big stage, but it’s often also up to the players themselves to show a mentality and maturity that is required for them to play at the high level the Bundesliga offers. For Gio Reyna, this hasn’t been an issue at all.
Over the course of his stint with Borussia Dortmund, Reyna has shown enough quality to earn the trust of his coaches, first with Lucien Favre and then with Edin Terzić. Now, his job will be to prove himself under yet another tactical mind: Marco Rose. In an interview with the Bundesliga Official Website, Reyna spoke about what it’s like to work with the new Dortmund head coach, stating:
“He’s been great so far, I’m sure all the players will say the same thing. Of course, training has been hard, he’s been onto us but in the best ways possible. He expects a lot out of us but so do we. All the players and the coaching staff have the same mind in terms of what we want to do and how we want to play so we know we can be really effective together with this coach. He’s been great on and off the pitch so far.”
Reyna’s comments suggest he is up to any challenge that Rose may throw his way and even relishes it, which is exactly the mentality needed by any player, let alone one so young to succeed at such a high level. Such an approach is sure to breed success in his career going forward.
Reyna’s craving for success has certainly been awakened, especially considering the club’s success in the DFB-Pokal last season. When asked about how it felt to win his first trophy with the club, Reyna was quick to say that it was a “proud moment” for him, and something that he will remember forever. He was also particularly happy for the older players, in particular Łukasz Piszczek who was able to depart the club with a final trophy in hand.
The topic of squad morale was broached yet again, one that quite a few players have been asked about leading up to the start of the season. Reyna echoed much of what his teammates have said, stating that:
“We have a great squad every year, every year we’re capable of doing great things together and I’m sure this season will be no different in terms of winning a lot of games and fighting for trophies. I’m sure everybody is really excited.”
The conversation also strayed to the topic of Jadon Sancho, who vacated the number 7 shirt after completing a move to Manchester United. Reyna was quick to thank Sancho for everything he did for him and the club, but also recognised the weight of the number he has now taken on as his own:
“It was open, so I took it. He was great with it so hopefully I can do the same. I can’t thank him enough for the help he’s given me and the rest of the young players and of course all the success he’s given on the field to the team. I’m sure he’ll do really well in England, I’m excited to see where his career goes.”
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Fans will surely be hoping that Gio Reyna can certainly play his role in helping alleviate the hole left behind by Sancho. It looks to be an important and exciting year for the American; one where we hope he can take the next step in his development and become the immense player his potential suggests that he can become.