"The fact that he gave me the chance to play at a difficult time for the team shows that he trusts me. I want to repay that trust," Zento Uno said after making his Borussia Mönchengladbach debut. The midfielder's first competitive appearance for the club came in the Matchday 5 Rhine derby defeat to Cologne, after he joined from Shimizu S-Pulse in July and missed the opening weeks of the 2026/27 campaign with a muscle injury.
Gladbach's start and Uno's role
The timing is awkward, because Borussia Mönchengladbach have lost their first five Bundesliga matches and sit on 0 points. Their goal difference is -11, which gives a blunt idea of how much work sits in front of this group before anything else can be discussed.
Uno did not sound like a player looking for a gentle introduction. "I'm a player who likes getting stuck into challenges and covering a lot of ground. I can work hard out of possession, win second balls and hold my own in challenges. My aim is to become more of a goal threat, score goals and provide assists," he told bundesliga.com.
That profile fits a side that needs more bite as much as more ball control. It also explains why Alexander Blessin used him when the pressure was already heavy, rather than waiting for a softer entry point.
Hoffenheim next
Gladbach host Borussia Mönchengladbach vs 1899 Hoffenheim on Sunday, and the game is already carrying relegation weight. 1899 Hoffenheim sit 17th with 3 points after five league matches and have lost 4 of their first 5 Bundesliga games.
Uno's message was plain enough. "As a team, we'll give everything to make that happen," he said, adding that the club's supporters expect wins and that the most important thing is taking all three points together.
Gladbach have not found a point yet, and Sunday gives Uno's first weeks in Germany another high-stakes test.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
