Clash of two Borussias and new chance for BVB's Italian gem
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 03.05.26. | 15:27
The 18-year-old Samuele Inacio shone in his first start in senior football, and the expectations are much higher ahead of Dortmund's duel against Borussia Monchengladbach today (18.30)
Borussia Dortmund's comfortable position in the Bundesliga and the fact that they had practically secured the runner-up spot allowed Niko Kovac to mix things up, shuffle the lineup, and experiment.
And the latest one might have hit the bullseye.
Samuele Inacio, the 18-year-old Italian who joined Dortmund two years ago from Atalanta, could become the club's next jewel very soon, and today he may prove he's ready to take on such a role, while Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have already begun asking questions about him.
His maiden three professional games brought him 63 minutes on the pitch, and brought the BVB three defeats - to Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, and Hoffenheim.
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However, once the youngster got the chance from the first referee's whistle, he shone.
In 74 minutes that he clocked in a 4-0 win over Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park, Inacio made two attempts, with 0.75 XG (expected goals) - only one of the scorers, Serhou Guirassy had a higher xG rate - 93% of his passes found their target, while he entered 11 duels despite being an attacking midfielder, earning a standing ovation when leaving the pitch.
All this was enough for him to be pronounced the future of Dortmund and European football, as well as the struggling Italy national team.
After several cameos with the first team, Samuele Inacio (18) TODAY got his FIRST START in the Bundesliga vs Freiburg. He walked off with a standing ovation
— AzzurriXtra🇮🇹 (@XtraAzzurri) April 26, 2026
He continues to show off his great unique characteristic talent. He SHOULD remain a PRIORITY for FIGC from June onwards pic.twitter.com/nPTb89rOE2
Today, against Borussia Monchengladbach (18.30), Inacio is expected in the XI again, alongside Julian Brandt and Guirassy, and everyone expects him to lift the bar higher - to assist or, why not, find the net.
He has already shown that his feet and body are ready for world-class football. Now, it's time for his head to prove the same. It's time to start coping with the pressure.
Still, regardless, remember the name Samuele Inacio. We'll undoubtedly hear a lot more about him next season.
BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 32
Saturday
Bayern Munich - Heidenheim 3-3 (1-2)
/Goretzka 44,57, Olise 90+10 - Zivziadze 22,76, Dinkci 31/
Eintracht Frakfurt - HSV 1-2 (0-0)
/Uzun 48 - Gronbaek 51, Vieira 59/
Hoffenheim - Stuttgart 3-3 (2-1)
/Kramaric 7,49, Toure 23 - Fuhrich 20, Demirovic 64, Tomas 90+5/
Union Berlin - Koln 2-2 (0-1)
/Rothe 73, Burcu 89 - Butler 33, El Mala 61/
Werder - Augsburg 1-3 (0-2)
/Schmid 64 - Kade 24, 45+3/
Leverkusen - RB Leipzig 4-1 (2-0)
/Schick 25,76,89 - Baumgartner 80/
Sunday
16.30: (2.80) St.Pauli (3.15) Mainz (2.65)
18.30: (4.00) M' gladbach (3.50) Dortmund (1.93)
20.30: (2.55) Freiburg (3.35) Wolfsburg (2.75)
***odds are subject to change***