That was a tough angle for a bike. That means he's getting his accuracy back which is a very good thing. Of course now that he's getting back into game shape Balogun gets injured again - hope it's minor as he's been in scintillating form forcing Pepi to work hard to catch up.
Two interesting numbers from the weekend's game: 1) Pepi started and went 90 minutes 2) PSV started in a 4-4-2 with Prepi and Till up top together I've been arguing that PSV haven't seen Till & Pepi as competitors. If this is repeated, we may have to look at them as complements
It is starting to become comical and frustrating seeing formations lately and them being wrong most of the time. I saw a lineup where he was a right winger. Thought it was kind of odd then that he scored on the left side of the goal. Right now I've seen three different formations for where Reyna is playing right now.
Same with the LLM- written matchtracker. Flowery, verbose, uninformative much of the time. I think it's the LLM automation. It just lines things up willy-nilly often. Looks like Wanner is starting again. I hadn't noticed he took the 10 when he got to PSV. His 2nd start of the season. Jr. must be hurt again? Til back in the midfield. PSV starting to run away with the league. If they keep it up the kids like Pepi and Wanner can get more and more minutes. (Tho Pepi is not so much a "kid")
Won 2-0. 'veen started an 18 year old keeper in what I think was his 1st Ered start. A miscommunication with his backs on a pass - and a questionable reaction on his part let in the 1st goal. Pepi scored on a close, bad angle wormburner for the 2nd.
I liked the big smile at the end. maybe he really is back. When he's on he's very accurate even with tough to make shots.
It wasn't repeated, as PSV reverted to the traditional Dutch 4-3-3 with Pepi starting up top and Til in midfield. Pepi also went 90'. He's already reclaimed his starting place.
That's because, after several matches/weeks working his way back, he's now match-fit. When he tries stuff, it's likely to work. It wasn't 6 weeks ago. It is now
Also, as is inevitable when you're playing league, cup and Europe, players falling out of game-shape. Peresic has been injured since last CL game, so the wing was open, then Mauro Jr. got sick so suddenly there are needs in the midfield. Plea, von Bommel and boadu are all out long-term. Reportedly Peresic and Jr are back for the AM game, and it's likely Bosz reverts to the form that has been working so well in Europe, which means Pepi might start that one on the bench. But if they need a goal late - or even if they don't - he's been getting 2nd half minutes - and PSV have 3 games after Tues before the break. If I was a betting man I'd bet Bosz starts Til up top v. Athletico, Pepi gets the league start, comes off relatively early if they are ahead, so he can start the cup and the Utrecht start is up in the air depending on fitness. But as long as PSV have this many games, folks gonna get injured and Pepi is going to get minutes.
I was looking at the commentary from Leeds v. Liverpool and excitedly texted my LUFC supporter friend when it credited Aaronson with "2 assists on the day" after the 2nd goal, and my friend was like "what, you mean the penalty Gnoto won?" and that's when I realized that the commentary is 100% written by an LLM and I cannot rely on it to give me an accurate description of a match. Also, flowery verbose and uninformative match commentary to no one in particular is MY thing! Robots gotta get off of my turf!
I was really notable when the shift happened. The Google-default matchtracker, at least, went from short, brusque and uninformative to flowery verbose and uninformative. What was: Aaronson fouled in defensive half. Became: Leeds attacker Brenden Aaronson upended in an awkward challenge, fouled after losing his balance and falling, flailing, to the turf, cushioning the fall with his partially outstretched right arm, in the defensive half.