It is fair to say that Giovanni Reyna is an excellent individual summary of Borussia Dortmund’s past season as a whole- full of exciting promise, but ultimately falling short and looking forward to the new season for another fresh start. After being at the club for four years and not really becoming an established first XI starter, could this be a make-or-break season for the US attacking midfielder?
There can be no doubting the potential the 20-year-old possesses and last season he showed it on numerous occasions towards the end of the season as BVB were involved in the tightest title race for years. Reyna was limited to just four starts all season, but did chip in with seven goals- his best scoring season thus far in a black and yellow shirt. The campaign as a whole however was blighted by muscle injuries and fitness issues.
Despite his talent, potential, and impressive cameo appearances, there is a feeling that he isn’t going to find a place in Edin Terzic’s ‘strongest’ first XI and may become surplus to requirements if he cannot take his game to the level in regards consistency and avoiding injuries.
He does however have a close connection with the club and the fans and is desperate to prove himself at the club- something that help his chances of cementing a place in Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT team.
“The end of the season was tough for everyone connected to the club” Reyna explained in a recent interview with Derek Rae. “We know how close we were, and it as so disappointing not to get it done. The experience has taught us that we have the potential to win trophies.
“I’m about the team and the fans. What I’ve learned is coming off the bench was helpful to the team winning and sometimes late in the game it opens up a bit. I’m going to push as hard as I can to start more this season though. That’s my goal for sure.
“I can’t think for a better club to play for. I’m lucky that my first professional club is also a club that has the chance to win the Bundesliga, Pokal and UCL. There is no moving up from Dortmund. It’s a top, top club so I’m happy here and could play here forever.”
Whether he gets the chance to stay and play forever depends very much on the upcoming season. If last season showed anything it was that a deep squad is necessary and quality coming off the bench can prove decisive. Reyna doesn’t have the pace and directness of Donyell Malen and Karim Adeyemi, but he does have the guile to unlock tight defences and can score important goals at important times.
As the player has said, “There is no moving up from Borussia Dortmund” and should he stay injury-free and get back to his best levels there will ne no reason to consider this an option. Another disappointing campaign however might see the question marks start to arise over his long-term BVB future.
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