Gladbach's Hopes for Machino's Awakening
Shuto Machino's move to Borussia Mönchengladbach last year generated high expectations, but the Japanese striker failed to live up to those expectations. Now, the club's management is betting on a stronger and more hopeful second year for the player, who is at a critical stage in his career.Machino, who was present at Japan's World Cup game against Brazil, knows that next year is crucial. After a first year that didn't go as expected, the pressure is on him to finally show his true worth. He should return earlier than usual from his Christmas break so as not to waste any preparation time and start the season on the right foot.
One of the main factors that contributed to their unsatisfactory performance last season was their preparation, which was hampered. Negotiations for his transfer from Holstein Kiel were long and, as a result, he missed the pre-season training camp. Afterwards, injury problems prevented him from training regularly, and when he finally took part in the first round, he was far from his best.
With just three goals and nine starts in thirty-one league games, Machino's performance fell short of expectations, especially after a previous season in Kiel where he scored eleven goals and made four assists. The pressure increased when he was initially unable to be called up to the Japanese team and was only called up as a substitute due to Wataru Endo's injury, making just one appearance in the tournament, which ended with Japan's elimination.
Despite the difficulties, Borussia management believes that Machino will be able to turn things around in his second year. Coach Eugen Polanski expressed his confidence, stating that historically, players perform better in their second year. "He is dissatisfied with his performance, which is a good sign for his development," said Polanski, while sporting director Rouven Schröder also expressed his hope that Machino will show his quality.
With the arrival of new competitors, such as Isac Lidberg, the Japanese striker needs to show his importance to the team and convince everyone of his ability. Competition has increased, as Lidberg can play alongside Tim Kleindienst, and other players are also fighting for a place in attack. Machino's future at Borussia Mönchengladbach now depends on his ability to adapt and make his quality count.
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