De Jong just turned 33. He’s got a couple good years left in the Eredivisie. He is just beyond prime, slightly over ripe, not quite well done etc. etc. but by no means an old guy. Pepi’s gotta earn it in training and these garbage minutes he gets, de Jong isn’t going anywhere soon.
Peter Bosz says that players have to be 100% fit to play. That puts question marks on the 4 players, just returning to training, Bella-Kotchap, Schouten, Dest and Babadi, for the Fc Volendam match. Bosz said he doesnot believe in players 70% fit.
He's now the record goal scorer of this century of the Eredivisie. Pepi better hope he hasnot set his eyes on the "All time topscorer of the Eredivisie".
He knows Pepi is on his heels. Our guy is pushing him into becoming the greatest Eredivisie striker ever.
WHERE IS ANYBODY?!? Tillman STARTS. and had a great assist - brilliant touch to beat a man followed by a perfectly weighted chip to Til, who settled and finished calmly from the middle of the box. Pepi on in the 70th minute. Dest bench. and ... Zach Booth on in the 72nd. Volendam just had their first shot on goal, and it's a successful penalty. 2-1 PSV
Last time he was not around because of the flu. This one is actual benching. He must be fully recovered to be on the bench, but perhaps not fully match fit.
His teammate took it away from him and then turned it over (cardinal sin #1). Pepi still had possession with a chance to score. But Rico's not exactly at his level best right now in terms of his finishing. Blew a breakaway badly last match.
He should have shot early. By the time his mate took the ball, it was already too late. After the rebound, it was an almost impossible shot. Pepi not looking good, let's be honest.
Tillman finishes the breakaway to seal it! It was off a throw in to Pepi. No assist because he missed the ball in the post up. But holding off his man helped there. Ironically, the best aspect of Pepi's game, in an otherwise underwhelming sub appearance, was his strength in holding off defenders. That's normally a weakness.
GOAL TILLMAN - goal and assist in his first start. Pepi tried to head it to him but I think the defender did, so I don't think an assist for Pepi, but incredible night for Tillman.
Good night for Tillman and he earned more starts. Not just the goal and assist, but overall he was a provider for the attack, and covered his area well. Not good for Pepi or Booth. Booth has the excuse that he's just learning, though.