There’s been no let-up for United States worldwide Sergino Dest since he signed for Barcelona one month in the past and his baptism of fireside continues with Wednesday’s Champions League sport towards Italian champions Juventus.
Dest, who turns 20 subsequent week, made his Barca debut in its place towards Sevilla simply three days after signing at first of October after which began matches towards Getafe and Ferencvaros. On the weekend, he turned the primary American to characteristic within the Clasico, taking part in 90 minutes at right-back as Barca have been overwhelmed 3-1 by Real Madrid at Camp Nou.
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There isn’t a time to dwell on that defeat, although, with Ronald Koeman’s facet in motion this week in Turin as their consideration switches again to European soccer.
“That is the explanation [I signed],” Dest instructed ESPN on Monday. “You need to play each sport towards the very best opponents and see the place you are at proper now along with your growth. I believe there’s sufficient room for me to enhance, however I’m on a superb [path] and I like these video games.”
Dest is one in every of an rising group of younger USMNT gamers making their means at Europe’s greatest golf equipment. Wednesday’s sport sees him face one other in Weston McKennie, who joined Juve this summer time from Schalke 044.
“I did not converse to him concerning the sport but however after I signed for Barcelona, he instructed me: ‘I’ll see you within the Champions League,'” Dest laughed. “It is good to play towards him. We’re good buddies within the nationwide staff so we’re wanting ahead to it.”
If there was a draw back to the final month for Dest, it has been that video games proceed to be performed behind closed doorways because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is actually unusual,” he mentioned about taking part in the Clasico in an empty Camp Nou. “You’re feeling it, however you do not actually really feel it, the strain. And I believe the strain is one thing that makes soccer, that makes the game, the followers, all the things round it.
“It isn’t boring since you need to play, it is at all times good, it is simply means higher with the followers and the assist from outdoors. [The Barca players] instructed me it is a lot strain [with fans in the Clasico] however I should see it with my very own eyes.”
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Ale Moreno praises the efficiency of Sergino Dest in his first-ever El Clasico regardless of Barcelona’s 3-1 defeat.
Dest was one of many few gamers to come back out of the Madrid loss with any credit score. Sources on the membership touch upon a “maturity that belies his years” and he feels the arrogance positioned in him by Koeman has helped him settle shortly.
“It’s a must to discover your home within the staff and play, that is why at first I need to play easy, get my spot, get my chemistry with the staff after which slowly develop increasingly more into the staff,” he mentioned.
“Koeman has given me confidence and now it is as much as me. I’ve to play good matches, develop myself. He gave me the probabilities nevertheless it’s as much as me if I make them work or not.
“I simply attempt to play my sport. I’m a defender, so proper now I’m attempting to defend lots. If attainable, I’m going ahead. Earlier than, at Ajax, perhaps I went slightly an excessive amount of ahead and forgot my defence, however now I’m not forgetting my defence. I’m searching for my moments to go ahead.
“I’m slowly getting extra assured within the staff and I really feel like in a few weeks I will probably be completely myself, giving all the things I’ve. Clearly, I give all the things I’ve proper now however then I’ll really feel extra comfy within the staff.
“But it surely’s an incredible first month for me, my dream got here true, I play for Barcelona now. Typically after I take a look at [my teammates] on the pitch I am like ‘Wow a few years in the past I watched you guys on TV’ and now I play with the very best participant on this planet [Lionel Messi]. That is superb.
“[I know] we misplaced the Clasico however for me, it is simply beginning. Hopefully I can attain fantastic issues with this stunning membership and develop myself as greatest as I can.”
