Marco Rose backs Julian Brandt to make an impact in Gio Reyna’s absence

Marco Rose believes that Julian Brandt is ready to come into the Borussia Dortmund lineup and make an impact in the absence of the injured Gio Reyna. 

Julian Brandt looks set to make his first start of the season this weekend as Borussia Dortmund take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. And Marco Rose has backed the playmaker to find his form in Gio Reyna’s absence.

"When asked about Brandt being a possible replacement for Reyna, Rose said:“Jule is in good shape. He had an excellent pre-season, but then he had to go into quarantine and now has two weeks of training in his legs again. We hope that he can be one of the players who steps in for Gio and brings the form of the pre-season onto the pitch.”"

Reyna has been ruled out until the end of the month after suffering a muscle injury on international duty. While the USMNT international’s injury is no doubt a big blow for Borussia Dortmund, it will give Brandt a chance to impress and stake a claim for a regular starting spot.

Brandt put in some impressive performances during pre-season but then missed the start of the season as he had to go into quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. He has come off the bench in each of Borussia Dortmund’s last two games. And chances are that he will be in the starting XI against his former club on Saturday.

Brandt was heavily linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund in the recently concluded transfer window, and both Lazio and AC Milan were said to have an interest in signing him. But the BVB bosses did not want to sell him. And the hope will be that he can now kick on and show the quality that prompted the Black and Yellows to sign him in 2019.