Zento Uno
BMG
Center Midfielder
Deep-Lying Playmaker
Nov 20, 2003 (22)
Right
5'9"
159 lb
Starts, earns assist
Uno assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Friday's 3-2 victory over VfB Stuttgart. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 53rd minute.
Analysis: Uno was in the starting XI for a second straight match Friday, with the midfielder bagging 90 minutes of play. He would do well to earn his first goal contribution of the season, finding Joe Scally in the 38th minute for an assist. After recovering from an injury to begin the season, it looks as if he could be working into a starting role.
Clears injury scare
Uno fully rejoined team training Tuesday and completed the session without any discomfort after recently being limited by a thigh issue, according to Rheinische Post.
Analysis: Uno appears to have put his latest setback behind him after getting through Tuesday's full session without any issues, putting him on track to return to the squad for Sunday's derby against Koln. Coach Alexander Blessin indicated that the midfielder could have featured last weekend but was held out as a precaution, and he could now be an option for roughly 30 minutes off the bench. Uno will still need to come through the rest of the training week without a setback before getting the green light.
Exits training early
Uno was forced to leave Wednesday's training session early with a thigh issue, according to Rheinische Post.
Analysis: Uno's latest issue comes shortly after he returned to training following an extended absence due to muscular problems. The midfielder had recently featured in a friendly against Sportfreunde Siegen but was unable to complete Wednesday's session and left the pitch with his thigh bandaged. The severity of the problem remains unclear, leaving his availability for Saturday's friendly against St. Pauli uncertain.
Plays one half in return with U23s
Uno (undisclosed) played one half of Saturday's 2-1 win over FC Gutersloh.
Analysis: Uno had recently been building toward a return, with coach Eugen Polanski previously saying he could gradually rebuild match rhythm with the U23 side after completing a full week of training without being included in the first team squad against Elversberg. This appearance now marks progress in that plan, and his path back to first team contention will continue to be managed carefully.
Progressing well, could feature with U23s
Uno (undisclosed) continues to make encouraging progress in training, according to coach Eugen Polanski. "Zento has worked very hard and can now participate in all exercises without problems."
Analysis: Uno still lacks match rhythm following his injury, so the club is considering having him gradually build that back up with the U23 side to ease his eventual return, per manager Polanski. He had already been ruled out of the recent match against Elversberg despite completing a full week of training, and his path back to the first team matchday squad will continue to be managed carefully.
Remains out Saturday
Uno (undisclosed) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Elversberg.
Analysis: Uno completed a full week of team training after coach Eugen Polanski had urged caution due to the muscle injury, but has been unable to earn a place in the matchday squad despite the progress made since his absence from the Bundesliga opener against RB Leipzig. Coach Polanski made clear the club still needed to be careful with his workload, and ultimately decided against rushing him into competitive action despite the encouraging training week. His availability for the coming fixtures will be monitored closely as the club continues to manage his return carefully.
Could be an option
Uno (undisclosed) could be an option for Saturday's clash against Elversberg after training fully this week, according to coach Eugen Polanski. "Zento has rejoined the team for training this week. We still need to be a bit cautious with Zento due to his muscle injury."
Analysis: Uno had already been considered too early for the Bundesliga opener against RB Leipzig, with manager Polanski saying last week he was training again but not yet fully up to speed. This full week of training now marks further progress, positioning him closer to a potential return to the matchday squad.
Unlikely against Elversberg
Uno (undisclosed) has resumed training after his muscular injury this week, though his integration into the team is likely still premature for Saturday's clash against Elversberg, according to BILD.
Analysis: Uno had already been considered too early for the Bundesliga opener against RB Leipzig, with coach Eugen Polanski saying at the time he was training again but not yet fully up to speed. His continued progress positions him closer to a potential involvement, though a full return to the matchday squad may still need to wait a bit longer.
Won't face RB Leipzig
Uno (undisclosed) won't be ready for the Bundesliga opener against RB Leipzig on Saturday, according to manager Eugen Polanski. "Fabio Chiarodia and [Zento] Uno have both trained with the team again this week, although they're not yet fully up to speed."
Analysis: Uno is back in training and seems to be on the verge of being an option for the coaching staff, but this game will ultimately come too soon for him. Uno could be an option for the Sep. 5 match against Elversberg, provided he doesn't suffer a late setback in his recovery.
Ruled out for cup opener
Uno remains in rehabilitation from a muscular issue and will miss Sunday's German Cup match at TSV Schott Mainz, according to coach Eugen Polanski, per the Rheinische Post. "He's being built back up following the muscular injuries and issues."
Analysis: Uno was unable to train with his Gladbach teammates at the start of the week, instead continuing an individual program, and has now missed the club's last three friendlies as well. His path back to full team training still requires more time, with no clear indication yet of when he'll next be available. Uno is expected to continue his rehabilitation program in the coming days as the club monitors his progress. His continued absence leaves Gladbach without a midfield option who has been sidelined for an extended stretch heading into the new season.
Sidelined with muscular problems
Uno (undisclosed) was without Gladbach for Friday's 4-1 friendly win over Hoffenheim due to muscular problems, according to Hannah Gobrecht of Rheinische Post.
Analysis: Uno joined Gladbach this summer from Shimizu S-Pulse and had captained the Japanese club regularly last season, and this early setback comes as an unfortunate start to his time in Germany just as he begins integrating with his new teammates. His path back to full training will be worth monitoring as Gladbach continues its preseason preparations ahead of the new 2026/27 Bundesliga season.
Signs for Gladbach until 2030
Uno has joined Gladbach from Shimizu S-Pulse on a contract until June 2030, the club announced.
Analysis: Uno made 27 league appearances including 25 starts in his first season following Shimizu's promotion to the J1 League, before captaining the side 13 times across 17 appearances in the 2026 J1 Special Season. Sporting director Rouven Schroder praised his defensively minded, tactically disciplined and physically robust profile, describing the move to the Bundesliga as the next demanding step in his career. Uno earned his first two senior caps for Japan at the 2025 East Asian Championship against China and South Korea, and expressed his excitement at fulfilling a long-held dream of playing in the Bundesliga for a club he described as well known in Japan through its history of Japanese players.
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