In only the two CL games and the AZ Alkmaar game would it occur to anyone to say, "Hmm, tough opponent, big stage, might have to grind out a result, better play Maz, not Dest." In the other five games, no rational person would think/say the same thing. So even if ten Hag wants Maz for the 'big games,' Dest should get plenty of playing time.
Yeah, I really get the impression from some comments that they think the folks at Ajax made it successful by doing stupid things. No wonder the USMNT is a mess, if this way of "thinking" in US soccer is the common way.
Even that isnot necesary. Mazraoui in the CL matches was a decisive player that scored important goals, so when in doubt....
TBF, I think some of it is kind of "tongue-in-cheek/troll-ing" posting, but then at some point it gains traction and you end up with the "CP was benched at BVB!" or "Dempsey was benched at Spurs!" revisionism. Lots of people are not comfortable in the muddy middle of reality - imperfect coaches picking imperfect players for a variety of logical reason with varying results
Pulsic was not "benched" as in "was not a regular starter." He was "benched," as in "did not see the field when healthy" exactly 4 times in 24 league games and exactly 0 times in 10 cup/CL games. He was healthy for 24 league games. He started 11 Subbed into 9 DNP (Benched) for 4. He was healthy for 10 Cup/CL games. Started 8 subbed in 2 So if folks mean by "benched" "spent 4 of a potential 34 games on the bench," then sure, that pedantic reading is technically correct. But if folks mean "benched" as they usually do in these kind of sporting context - rode the bench over the majority of the season - that is not correct. It was similarly true (or, really "not true") for Dempsey at Spurs.
Schuurs also starting at RM. Watch Ajax right side this game. Heracles has scored a surprisingly (esp for them) respectable # of goals so far this season.
ten Hag normally will try a lineup before a CL match especially since Veltman is out today. I imagine the plan will be for Blind to be subbed for someone else to take LCB if Ajax can build a lead. That said-- It's just 30 min in but I think Dest will come on too. Maz has been fairly poor. Could also move Maz into DM and Martinez back to LCB.
Maz hurt... hard to tell extent of injury. But clearly somethings been bothering him all season. Here comes Dest in the 67th.
1198338462262472704 is not a valid tweet id But the announcer just said the goal has been credited to the touch of Huntelaar.
When I said to watch the right side for openings, I meant Maz/Schuurs, not Dest/Schuurs... Oh well...
Pretty bad mistake. Not sure how long the link will stay up, but Dest tries to control a ball a midfield and the Heracles player takes it right off of him and has 1 v 1 with Onana https://streamable.com/65dcd
Dest is gonna do that now and again. He's a naive defender. Ends lots of defensive seasoning. I have no doubt he'll be a winger/middie for the US. Much safer/more dangerous attacking there.