Rocco Reitz scored on his debut for RB Leipzig against his former club Borussia Mönchengladbach and addressed the loud whistles from Gladbach fans. The 24-year-old midfielder moved for 20 million euros in the summer of 2024 from the traditional club to the commercial Leipzig side and was booed upon his return, as reported by Bild Sport.
How did Rocco Reitz' debut against Gladbach go?
Rocco Reitz was in the starting lineup for RB Leipzig on the first matchday of the season. His first competitive game for his new club was also the fixture against Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he spent 17 years and was most recently the captain. He was greeted with a chorus of whistles from his own former fans as he walked onto the pitch. The emotions intensified when Reitz scored to make it 3-0 in the 66th minute. This led to further insulting chants and hate banners from the ultras. The Leipzig supporters, however, celebrated their new signing loudly. The match ended with a 3-0 victory for Leipzig, which left Gladbach in 17th place with zero points and a goal difference of -3. This puts Borussia already three points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
What did Reitz say about the fans' reactions?
The German U21 international appeared composed after the match. "I was prepared for everything," said Rocco Reitz. He commented on the whistles by stating, "I think everyone is entitled to their opinion. In the end, I was more happy that the Leipzig fans celebrated me." For the midfielder, the appearance against his long-time club was emotionally charged, not least because of the circumstances of his departure. In May 2024, Reitz suffered a severe infection that required hospitalization and prevented an official farewell at Gladbach.
What challenges did Reitz overcome before the season?
After his recovery, Rocco Reitz had to slowly rebuild his fitness during preseason training under medical observation. Doctors could not initially guarantee he would be fit for the season opener. This makes his full 90-minute performance and goal on debut all the more notable. Manager Martin Demichelis, 45, trusted him with a place in the starting formation from the beginning. That trust paid off. The current league situation and upcoming tasks for Gladbach can be followed on our standings page.
What does the defeat mean for Gladbach's season start?
The 3-0 loss to Leipzig is a severe setback for Borussia at the outset. With zero points and three goals conceded without scoring any themselves, the club is under early pressure. The next opportunity to gain points comes on September 5th in a home match against fifth-placed SV Elversberg. This fixture is listed in the fixtures calendar. To stabilize the defense and develop more threat in attack, manager Demichelis will need to work on solutions in the coming training sessions. The team must quickly forget and look ahead.
