Jadon Sancho makes first Bundesliga start for Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund starlet Jadon Sancho took another step forward in his fledgling career by making his first Bundesliga start for the club against Wolfsburg on Matchday 18. Striker Alexander Isak also made his full debut in the league.
A week after making his first start for BVB against Fortuna Düsseldorf at the club’s winter training camp in Marbella, 17-year-old Sancho was trusted by coach Peter Stöger to fill the gap left by the absence of the injured Christian Pulisic. In doing so, he became the first Englishman to start for BVB in the Bundesliga.
The former Manchester City player did not get on the scoresheet as the Black-and-Yellows were held to a goalless draw by the Wolves, but he nevertheless impressed with his industry and direct running. Sancho might also have won the game for BVB but saw his close-range shot come back off the post early in the second half.
"I'm in a happy place at the moment," Sancho told bundesliga.com after the game. "I'm just thankful again that the manager has faith in me and all his team. That's a big thing for me because I need to improve as a player. To do that I need to play in games like this, so I'm very happy."
The England Under-19 international had featured twice in the Bundesliga already this season as a substitute, including ten minutes against champions Bayern Munich.
Sancho’s coach at BVB, Peter Stöger, described the young Englishman as a “very, very talented lad, a real livewire. Jadon took part in a proper training camp. It was a good step for him. He has real quality, even though he isn't quite the finished article in front of goal.”
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Swedish striker Isak was also handed his first Bundesliga start for the club in the absence of top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, although the 18-year-old Sweden international had started a competitive fixture for the club in the second round of the DFB Cup, scoring and assisting in the 5-0 win over Magdeburg.
Watch: Sancho: "I'm in a happy place"