da apostaganha： Sergino Dest, Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman are heading to the Champions League group stage as PSV booked their place with a win over Rangers.
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Dest starts in PSV winTillman and Pepi on benchPSV into Champions League group stage
Following a 2-2 draw in Scotland in the first leg, PSV were able to win the tie thanks to a 5-1 home victory, sealing their spot in Europe's top club competition. They'll return to the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2018-19.
U.S. men's national team star Dest started the win, as he did the first leg in Glasgow, and once again put in a solid shift. Tillman and Pepi, meanwhile, started on the bench, with the former coming on late to make his club debut.
GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
PSV dominated the bulk of the first half, creating enough chances to score at least a few goals, and they finally got their reward in the 35th minute.
Ismael Saibari was the goalscorer as he got on the end of a perfectly-hit Joel Veerman cross. Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was essentially helpless as Saibari headed home from close range to give PSV the 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
Saibari then made it 2-0 shortly into the second half. An initial long cross from Jordan Teze found Luuk de Jong at the back post, and the PSV forward pushed the ball right back across goal for Saibari to tap home to make it a brace.
Rangers pulled one back in the 64th minute on a goal through captain James Tavernier, but PSV put the result beyond doubt just two minutes later as De Jong sealed their spot in the Champions League group stage.
A late goal from Veerman served as icing on the cake for a player that had squandered several chances earlier on in the match. Rangers, then, compounded their own misery with a late own goal to make it five.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With the win, PSV have booked their spot in the Champions League group stage, ensuring six more games and a significant financial boost for the Dutch club.
The club fell in the play-off round last season, coincidentally to this same Rangers team, before losing to Sevilla in their first Europa League knockout round play-off tie against Sevilla after finishing behind Arsenal in the group stage.
They'll be placed into Pot Three in Thursday's draw alongside Shakhtar Donetsk, RB Salzburg, AC Milan, Braga, Lazio and Red Star Belgrade.
Getty ImagesUSMNT IMPACT
Gregg Berhalter will have kept a close eye on this one with three of his players fighting for a spot in the Champions League proper.
Dest, the lone starter, will have left another good impression as he once again put in a strong shift on the left-hand side. He figures to remain on the right with the USMNT, especially with newcomer Kristoffer Lund joining Antonee Robinson as left-back options for the upcoming camp, but all minutes are good minutes given the difficulties Dest has faced on the club level in recent years.
Berhalter, meanwhile, will hope to see Pepi and Tillman perhaps get a runout in the Eredivisie this weekend before joining up with their international teammates for USMNT camp.
GettyGOAL'S RATING
Sergino Dest (7/10):
A solid performance from Dest, who should have had an assist early on if not for a fantastic save from Butland. Combined well on the left-hand side and made Rangers uncomfortable all night before the Scottish side capitulated.
Malik Tillman (N/A):
Came on in the 86th minute with the game well and truly over. Still, nice to make a debut, especially in front of a happy home crowd.
Ricardo Pepi (N/A):
You can't fault Peter Bosz for going with De Jong, but it is slightly concerning that Pepi once again didn't see the field.