The eight parings for next years Preliminary Knockout Round of the Europa League final stage was set with Monday afternoon’s draw, handing all three Americans entering at this stage potentially tricky paths to the final 16.
Shaq Moore was the only American to see any significant playing time in Spain in Tenerife’s disappointing draw, while Sergiño Dest watched from the bench as Barcelona continued their pedestrian descent into obscurity.
Christian Pulisic’s effort for Chelsea went to waste in Russia, while Brenden Aaronon’s Red Bulls and Tim Weah’s Lille went through in Group G, and Sergiño Dest saw Barcelona drop to the Europa League.
The Champions League Group Stage has finally reached its final round of games, and several Americans are feeling the crunch, needing results to stay alive in the competition as YA takes a look at the game(s) of the (mid)week.
Barcelona suffered a disappointing loss to visiting Betis in Sergiño Dest’s first start under new coach Xavi, while Yunus Musah only got a short drink of water for Valencia at the tail end of their win over Celta Vigo.
It looks like Barcelona and Liverpool could be battling for the signature of Christian Pulisic as speculation becomes rife about Chelsea’s possible decision to sell the player in the next transfer window.
The much-awaited meeting between Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie ended with Chelsea humiliating Juventus, while the other all-Yank battle over in Group G left Brenden Aaronson, Tim Weah and John Brooks all with with hopes to advance.
With Barcelona’s Champions League fate on the line when they host Benfica on Tuesday evening, Sergiño Dest’s ability to play is a distinct possibility, but will still be a late decision according to new head coach Xavi.
FC Barcelona confirmed today that Sergiño Dest is still out of action due to a minor back problem that kept him out of the latest World Cup qualifiers, and will not be available for new coach Xavi’s first game tonight.
Let’s briefly turn our attention to three USA internationals who, for various reasons, did not join their teammates for the recently-completed World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Jamaica.
