Inacio makes Champions debut as starter, but Dortmund falls in Norway
The Italo-Brazilian talent starts against Bodo/Glimt, but Dortmund suffers a 1-0 defeat. His international future remains unsettled: Mancini has called him up without giving him playing time.
Samuele Inacio earned the opportunity to make his Champions League debut as a starter with Borussia Dortmund, but the evening ended in disappointment. The German side lost 1-0 away to Bodo/Glimt, and the young striker born in 2008 failed to make a significant impact on the match. Manager Niko Kovac nonetheless chose to field him from the start in the second matchday of the league phase, demonstrating his intention to continue backing the prospect.
The starting role marks an important step forward in Inacio's journey at Dortmund, following a challenging beginning to the season. A red card just three minutes into his Bundesliga debut had complicated his integration into the first team, which was followed by a spell mostly spent on the bench. Before the European fixture, however, he had scored with the youth squad—a positive signal ahead of the more demanding challenge.
On the international front, questions persist about his future. Roberto Mancini has included him in Italy's call-ups, but the player has not yet earned a single minute with the senior Azzurri. This situation keeps several scenarios open, given his Brazilian heritage. The decision remains in his hands and will also depend on the progress he continues to make in Germany, where consistency and playing time are essential factors in converting his potential into concrete performances.