Gio Reyna enjoyed some rare game time for Borussia Dortmund but could not stop his side falling to a 2-1 defeat at VFB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.
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Reyna makes second-half cameoAmerican had few chances to shineDortmund lose 2-1 in StuttgartWHAT HAPPENED?
Stuttgart dominated the first half and missed a penalty, but found themselves trailing in the 36th minute when last season's joint-Golden Boot winner, Niclas Fullkrug, tucked home from close range. The hosts, who had 64 percent possession and 16 shots to the visitors' two in the opening 45 minutes, deservedly levelled through Brighton loanee Deniz Undav shortly before the break, however.
For much of the contest, Edin Terzic's side were indebted to goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who made a host of important saves – including from the first-half spot-kick – to keep his team in the game. Despite that, he brought down Silas Katompa Mvumpa in the box, and Serhou Guirassy dispatched the subsequent penalty in the 83rd minute as Stuttgart deservedly claimed all three points.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Dortmund's loss meant they slipped eight points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, who beat Heidenheim 4-2 on Saturday, and if Bayer Leverkusen win on Sunday, Xavi Alonso's side will be 10 points ahead of BVB.
They were unable to build on their comfortable Champions League victory over Newcastle in midweek and now they will have to mull over this result for a couple of weeks due to the upcoming international break.
Stuttgart are now three points clear of Dortmund, but both teams currently sit in the Champions League qualification spots, although The Black and Yellows could be leapfrogged by RB Leipzig if they beat Freiburg on Sunday.
USMNT IMPACT
After featuring 30 times for Dortmund last season, where he scored seven goals in all competitions, Gio Reyna has now made just six appearances this term after coming on for the final 30 minutes on Saturday.
The United States playmaker, who was given plenty of minutes last season under Terzic, is struggling for game time and perhaps a loan spell elsewhere might do Reyna some good.
Getty ImagesGOAL'S RATINGS
Gio Reyna: 6/10
The former New York City youngster replaced Lukas Nmecha in 63rd minute and while he looked sharp, he had very few chances to make a telling impact in the game as Dortmund were largely on the back foot.
