That is the Yanks Abroad Theory regarding Americans on the bench, yes I think there's at least the positive takeaway that the manager isn't going to feel he can't make changes because they are steamrolling. Doesn't mean he will, and doesn't mean the youngster isn't the one who benefits, but I think it's fair to say it does open the door a bit.
As I've mentioned a few times in this thread, in my opinion, he's on a team that doesn't play to his strengths: To get the best out of Gio he needs to be on a side that wants possession because his biggest strength is his consistently good passing and being good in possession. BMG currently don't care about possession, they generally only have ~40%. BMG also want to press hard in midfield and Gio's slow first step makes him an ineffective presser.
Polanski put out a line-up that he was hoping could keep up with Hoffenheim's pace and intensity. So, players like Neuhaus and Reyna started on the bench. Maybe against 14th place Hamburg Polanski will go with a line-up that has a little more possession to it. But, hats off to Hoffenheim. They were all over Gladbach particularly until the 4-0.
Yesterday's game was the 17th of the season, marking the end of the hinrunde. With exactly half the season gone, he has made the squad for 13 out of 17 games, getting 4 starts and 9 substitute appearances with zero goals with one assist. His starts came on Day 3 (74 minutes) and Days 13-14 (67, 59 and 65 minutes respectively), while his substitute appearances included one 30-minutes tactical change - in a triple substitution - 5 cameos (10-12 minutes) and 2 garbage minutes appearance. Significantly or not, Gladbach have lost 3 out of the 4 games he started. There's little evidence that he's anything other than a peripheral figure at a bang-in-the-middle midtable side
That's probably way better than most of us would have predicted with his injury history. He now needs to start pushing to play harder, get more minutes and starts. Oh and stay injury free.
Surprisngly, we will continue to have lots of 'maybe he is carrying an injury," "maybe he is being rested for this big game X coming up," etc etc on here - rather than the more likely occam's razor approach you mentioned above.
Of course, to be an attacking player for a team good enough to dominate the ball in a top league, you've got to be REALLY good. Like Luka Modric good.
He's got a few very high level attributes but as a total package he doesn't lift a team or mesh well.
Appears Polanski was asked about Reyna in the presser today. "Giovanni Reyna’s current role: Gio didn’t start the last two games, but he came off the bench against Augsburg. Gio hasn’t let that affect him, he’s doing well in training, is in good form and will continue to be important for us. In the end, it’s about playing style and how many of each type of player we want to have on the pitch for us." https://www.borussia.com/news/hsvbmg-press-conference-bundesliga-2526 Well, take from that what you will.
Well, that rules out injury. Seems Reyna is more of a tactical option at this point and not a necessity. Also, coach did mention that Reyna will still be ‘very, very important for us’. (wird für uns noch sehr, sehr wichtig sein). The English translation left out that nuance.
Not in the starting lineup. Thought he had a shot to start this game after the last result and the fixture congestion. Once again the coach remains unconvinced.
Enters in 69th: Borussia Mönchengladbach Polska on X: "'69 Zmiany ⚫⚪ ⬇️ Neuhaus, Honorat ⬆️ Reyna, Castrop #BundesTAK #BMG #gladbach #diefohlen #HSVBMG" / X
I think his main competition is Neuhaus. If Reyna’s fitness is ok, he could start before him. Might depend on how Polanski wants to play. Gio definitely drifts around quite a bit which might not be what Polanski wants at start of a match. But, worked out pretty well today as a sub.
Gio is a fluid player and that works well with what Poch is trying to do but absolutely doesn't work with a lot (most?) coaches who are a lot more rigid in positioning.
Gio vs HSV, Came on at 69th at 0-0. Played that wide left center mid. This guy drives me crazy. His technical skill is off the charts, like Tillman, so calm and comfortable on the ball, amazing touches and sees the game well. Overall played well, good touches and seemed to work hard on both sides of the ball, good for him. Lets say the team is on the break, he always wants to check square, which provides a good safe option for the guy with the ball but he just doesn't make those forward runs where hes getting the ball with forward progression on the break. Not sure if that makes sense. But everytime he only provides a square option. I want to see him make a run thru the middle or behind the line. Anything. Overall though he played well. Smooth as silk but just not enough production or activity to demand a starting spot.
BVB are that kind of side and he didn't produce there. Other possession-oriented teams passed on him. Good passing - excellent when he's in form - and being good in possession are his strengths. Output, pace and stamina are his weaknesses. A great passer who's good at holding the ball but has limited production, is slowish and gets gassed early equals an option off the bench. An early option, to be sure, but that's a long way from starting
Per kicker, he was Gladbach slowest player at 25.7 km/h with one sprint in his 22 minutes. Well, there was someone who came on in last 2 minutes with 24.9. Anyway, Gio isn't the kind of attacker who tries to stretch the defense with pace, that's for sure.
I imagine Reyna saying, "I don't do sprints," in the same matter-of-fact tone that our cleaning lady told my wife and me, "I don't do windows." Sprinting isn't part of Reyna's game, which limits his utility substantially, not just on this team but on any team. He has compensating attributes, but he needs to pick up the pace or be left behind. I remain hopeful, however. Reyna has too much talent to write him off just yet.
It's because he is only interested in breaking teams down off the dribble or with a killer pass. Running is for the dogs.
That incorrectly implies that his lack of foot speed is a dismissive choice rather than a biophysical reality. Don't let your imagination sprint wild...