Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna set for reunion with family friend and Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Football sometimes writes some very creative and intriguing storylines for those who take part in the beautiful game. The fateful meeting today between Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna and Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the UEFA Europa League is a prime example of this.
Both Reyna and van Bronckhorst have known each other since the playing days of Gio’s father, former US international Claudio Reyna. Reyna senior even named his son after the current Rangers manager after they had struck up a close friendship while playing together for the Scottish giants. The two of them even faced off together against Dortmund in the 1999-00 UEFA Cup.
Borussia Dortmund head coach Marco Rose was quick to comment on the unfolding storyline during the pre match press conference, stating that:
"“That’s really nice (the meeting between Reyna and Van Bronckhorst). It’s cool that something like this can happen in football too and that people can come together on this level. I assume that Gio will also be happy to show his namesake what he has learned over the years. They’ve probably known each other since the time when Gio was still wetting his pants. But for both of them, of course, the main goal is to be successful. ” – Marco Rose"
Van Bronckhorst has echoed this sentiment calling their reunion a “very special moment”. He remains very close to the Reyna family and they see each other at least once a year. Despite this closeness, he highlighted that both are competitors and that he is hoping for a good game from both sides.
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For Gio Reyna, the match against Rangers also marks his continued re-integration into the squad after a long injury lay-off. It would be a sensational way to come back if he were to help his side get the win over his close family-friend. The UEFA Europa League represents Dortmund’s most feasible chance at a trophy this season by far, and getting one over his father’s friend and former teammate would be a big step in making that chance a reality in the long run.