THE DEFENDER, REVITALIZED
The radical change of Sergiño Dest: Versatility and freshness
Published:2/03/2022 - 20:48h
Updated:2/03/2022 - 22:08h
Sergiño Dest had one foot out of FC Barcelona in January. The club tried to make money with the side, but the American preferred to stay and, now, is a key player in the defense of the team led by Xavi Hernández
Sergiño Dest Has attained to surpass his physical problems and is taking advantage of to the maximum the opportunities that Xavi Hernández offers him. The absence of Dani Alves in the Europe League (was not inscribed) and the suspension of Jordi Alba in the last day of LaLiga served to the born in Almere, Low Countries, to confirm his excellent state of form. The side has showed polivalencia and freshness, surrendering to tope when the team more needed him in the turn of the 'playoff' of the UEL in front of the Napoli and the Sunday in front of the Athletic of Bilbao, to profile changed.
Alba could not be the Sunday by accumulation of cards and the technician egarense did not doubt in planting to Dest by the left. The American neutralised any threat bilbaína by the left side, projecting besides to the attack with assiduity. The Thursday also had fulfilled in Diego Armando Maradona in his natural position, in a party that the Barça finished resolving with an ease insospechada in the previous (2-4). Sergiño Had problems in the aductores in the first stretch of the season, with which was almost a month of drop. Also it suffered Covid and a lumbalgia that prevented him be to tope between November and December.
In January the managerial put him the poster of transferible, but the defender did not want to listen offers. From his arrival to Catalonia in 2020, the American has struggled for winning the titularity and, even, was tested like carrilero/extreme by Ronald Koeman, without too much success. After the failures of Aleix Vidal, Douglas Pereira, Nelson Semedo, Emerson Royal and Moussa Wagué, the Barça recovered to Dani Alves for the second stretch of the 2021-22. The exit of Dest seemed a fact, but now the player of 21 years pretends to recover the stray leadership. The Europe League will be his main vitrina to the end of the season.
Since December, the American has been working hard to strengthen his physique, and that effort seems to be starting to pay off. Despite playing the full 90 minutes in Italy on Thursday, the winger was seen in his entirety on Sunday at Camp Nou, showing a freshness that until then he had not exhibited during the season. In 2020-21, Dest alternated ownership with Sergi Roberto and Óscar Mingueza, missing several Copa del Rey matches due to muscle problems.
Xavi's confidence, fundamental
The Terrassa coach has given the defender a fundamental vote of confidence. Xavi was able to register Dani Alves and not Sergiño in the Europa League, but aware of the wear and tear of playing every three or four days, he preferred to reserve the Brazilian for LaLiga, due to his 38 years. Dest will be Barça's starting right-back in the tournament as far as the club can go. And if there are emergencies on the left, the American will also be available.
