Dortmund vs Schalke: 17-year-old American wonderkid Giovanni Reyna makes 1st Bundesliga start

May 16, 2020 By Ali M.

Topics: Dortmund, Schalke, Revierderby, Bundesliga, Giovanni Reyna, Jadon Sancho, Erling Braut Haaaland

BVB have announced their lineup for the Revierderby and have surprised many by benching one of their biggest players.

Dortmund vs Schalke is one of five simultaneous 9:30 AM ET kick-offs that will usher the return of the Bundesliga. With fans eagerly awaiting the Revierderby, both clubs have now gone and released their starting lineups.

For BVB, there were obvious decisions in regards to the starting eleven. Erling Braut Haaland's inclusion was a no-brainer while the absence of captain Marco Reus came as no surprise due to his injury. However, Jadon Sancho was oddly benched for his team's first game since the coronavirus forced the German top-flight into suspension.

The reason for the English superstar's omission remains unknown at the time of writing this article. The former Man City kid made the bench, hinting that a lack of match fitness, not an injury, is the cause for this decision by Favre. Sancho's absence from the lineup means good news for Giovanni Reyna, with the USA wonderkid getting a nod and making his first-ever Bundesliga start.

Our Starting XI against S04

Gio Reyna will make his first official start for BVB pic.twitter.com/bKSxcSPYbq
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 16, 2020

The 17-year-old, labelled as one of the most promising young American footballers, became the youngest player to score a goal in German Cup history earlier this year and even played a crucial role in the club's 2-1 win over PSG in the 1st leg of their round of 16 tie. Today, he has been rewarded with a start.

Schalke have also named their starting XI and their list features several young talents ranging from Barcelona loanee Jean-Clair Todibo to fellow American starlet Weston McKennie. Amine Harit, who has the highest goals contribution this season for Die Knappen, has gone 13 games without a goal and 10 matches without an assist but will be looking to end this drought come today's game.

Our XI for the derby! #S04 | #Revierderby | #BVBS04 pic.twitter.com/u4ubRtxTvQ
— FC Schalke 04 () (@s04_en) May 16, 2020

UPDATE

Giovanni Reyna will not be making his first Bundesliga start after picking up an injury during the warm-up. He was replaced by Thorgan Hazard in the lineup.

Gio Reyna will be replaced by Thorgan Hazard in the Starting XI as a result of an injury sustained during warm up

Get well soon, Gio pic.twitter.com/V8RoWrO2wx
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 16, 2020