Sergino Dest provided glimpses of his old self as he showed the qualities that make him so dangerous in his PSV debut.
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Dest shines on debutTillman and Pepi remain on benchPSV earn 2-2 draw at Ibrox
Dest's club career has been a rollercoaster since he initially departed Ajax for Barcelona and the U.S. men's national team star now returns to the Eredivisie in rebuilding mode. A disastrous loan spell with AC Milan last year did little for his confidence, and the hope was that a move back to the Netherlands with Dutch giants PSV could help him get back on track.
It's very early days, but Tuesday's performance in the 2-2 draw with Rangers showed plenty of positive signs. Dest was dangerous throughout as he started on the left, offering the attacking presence that has often made him such a weapon for the USMNT.
With the draw, PSV will now head back to the Netherlands confident in this Champions League play-off tie as the two sides look to book their place in the Champions League's group stages after this back-and-forth first leg.
GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Dest started and made an immediate impact on the left-hand side, routinely getting forward to add danger to the PSV attack. The fullback provided several inviting crosses throughout the first half, but PSV lacked that finishing touch as they failed to score despite controlling play.
It would come back to bite them just moments before halftime as Ibrahim Sangare's giveaway led to a goal from Abdallah Sima in the 45th minute.
Sangare would make amends in the 61st minute as the midfielder himself provided a thumping finish to level the score at one apiece.
Rangers would go on to retake the lead through a fantastic finish from Rabbi Matondo in the 76th minute, but a goal from Luuk de Jong shortly after ensured the two teams head to the second leg level at 2-2.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Dest started the match at left-back, having primarily played on the right for both the U.S. and Barcelona. He is, though, plenty capable of playing on that side, as Tuesday's effort proved.
The fullback completed 91 percent of his passes and had five successful dribbles, providing his typical effort in the attacking end of the field. It's those qualities that made him a star at Ajax, after all, and that part of his game hasn't disappeared even with his struggles at Barcelona.
Dest was also strong defensively, winning seven duels and a tackle through his 81 minutes on the pitch. His defensive awareness has long been the biggest criticism of his game, but Dest was solid enough and wasn't to blame for either Rangers goal.
Dest wasn't the only American in the PSV squad, as Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman were named on the bench, but neither of the young attackers entered the field as PSV looked to see out the game and take the 2-2 result back to the Netherlands.
GettyUSMNT IMPACT
The USMNT coaching staff will be thrilled to see Dest back on the field again after such a troubling season on loan with AC Milan. The American was all but excluded from the team after January, leading to him joining the USMNT in March as the loan European-based player in a midweek friendly against Mexico.
His club struggles, thus far, have not cost him his USMNT place as Dest has remained the team's starting right-back. There is plenty of competition for that position, though, with the likes of Joe Scally and Bryan Reynolds growing into their own.
Dest, though, offers an attacking presence that the other two can't come close to, making him a key player during Gregg Berhalter's first cycle and, most likely, the returning starter to begin Berhalter's second spell in charge.
GettyGOAL'S GRADE
Sergino Dest (7/10):
A strong performance to begin life at PSV. Confident on the ball and made no real mistakes off of it in a performance that, for his sake and for the USMNT's, will hopefully be a sign of things to come.
Malik Tillman (N/A):
Surely wanted to come on against his former team after shining for Rangers last season, but it wasn't to be.
Ricardo Pepi (N/A):
Similar to Tillman, didn't come off the bench. For a while, it looked like the game was calling for him, but De Jong's late goal validated the decision to keep him on.