USMNT Star Sergiño Dest Remains on Bench for PSV vs Napoli in Champions League Due to Tardiness

USMNT defender Sergiño Dest faced disciplinary action after arriving late for PSV Eindhoven’s crucial Champions League match against Napoli. This incident occurred on Tuesday, during pre-match preparations, and resulted in Dest being benched by manager Peter Bosz.

Manager’s Decision Reflects Strict Discipline

Dest, who is 24 years old and has made 35 appearances for the US national team, was originally set to start the match. However, due to his tardiness, Bosz decided to prioritize discipline by choosing Ryan Flamingo to fill the right-back position. Before the game, Bosz explained the situation to Ziggo Sport, stating that Dest had arrived “much more than a second” after the agreed time.

Consequences for Tardiness

• Manager Peter Bosz emphasized that punctuality is crucial, stating, “Everyone has to abide by them.”
• He mentioned that Dest’s lateness was unfortunate for both the team and the player himself.
• Dest expressed his disappointment, as he had anticipated showcasing his skills in such a significant match.

The match against Napoli held particular importance for Dest, as he stated, “You go into a Champions League match with a different focus.” He acknowledged the challenge of competing against top teams in Serie A, noting Napoli’s strengths.

Past Incidents and Lessons Learned

This isn’t the first instance of disciplinary action from Bosz regarding punctuality within the team. Recently, USMNT star Malik Tillman was also benched for a missed meeting on the road to Almere City. Tillman had overslept and later shared his experience of the incident, expressing regret and a commitment to avoid similar issues in the future.

Dest’s experiences echo Tillman’s lessons on the importance of maintaining professionalism. This incident serves as a reminder of the expectations placed on players, particularly in settings as competitive as the Champions League.

Looking Ahead

Despite being sidelined for this match, Dest has participated in all eight of PSV’s league games this season and one of their three Champions League fixtures. His goal now is to move past the challenges faced in the injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign and regain his form.