News Focus
- Luca Reggiani received a red card only 13 minutes into his senior Italy debut
- The 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund defender entered the match as a second-half substitute
- Referee Yigal Frid dismissed him for a professional foul near the halfway line
- Interim coach Silvio Baldini hugged the teenager as he left the pitch
- Reggiani became the youngest Italian goalscorer in Bundesliga history in March
Luca Reggiani’s first appearance for the Italy senior national team ended in disaster on Sunday. The 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund defender received his marching orders only 13 minutes after entering the pitch against Greece.
Reggiani joined the action in the 55th minute. He replaced Fiorentina defender Pietro Comuzzo, who had picked up an injury. However, the teenager’s debut lasted just over ten minutes before referee Yigal Frid intervened.
The incident took place near the halfway line. Reggiani was the last man back when he committed the foul. The referee showed him a straight red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
This match marked the 17th debut under interim coach Silvio Baldini across the last two fixtures. The manager showed sympathy for the young player. He embraced Reggiani warmly as the defender left the field following the dismissal.
Last March, the centre-back made history in Germany. He became the youngest Italian player ever to find the net in the Bundesliga.