da betcris： Ricardo Pepi says his limited but important role for PSV has helped him become a "better player and person" after scoring the winning goal on Sunday.
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Pepi only started two games this seasonScored late winner as a substitute vs TwenteAdmits lack of playing time is 'difficult'WHAT HAPPENED?
The United States international came off the bench in the 80th minute with the game against Twente still goalless. The forward grabbed a last-minute goal to secure the three points after Luuk de Jong won possession and fellow USMNT player Malik Tillmann squared to Pepi to apply the finish. Pepi has
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Pepi has built a reputation as a bit of a super-sub since joining PSV and when asked if he gets frustrated by his lack of playing time, he told : "It's difficult but I think it's made me a better player, it's made me a better person, it's showed me how to have a little bit more patience and that's my role at the moment."
On his goal, the the 21-year-old said: "Once I saw Luuk steel the ball, I wanted to make sure that I was inside the box, that's where you can make a difference. I felt like I was in the right place at the right moment and the ball came towards me and I had to put it into the back of the net."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Pepi has scored nine goals for the unbeaten Eredivisie leaders but has not been able to secure a place in Peter Bosz's starting XI. He has started only two matches in all competitions – one in each of the Eredivisie and Champions League – and Bosz is aware that he is having a tough time with his role.
"It seems like the fewer minutes you give him, the more he scores," the coach told reporters. "You know that with him you are bringing in someone who scores easily and does not need much time to do so. That's nice."
He added: "Of course I have a conversation with him every now and then. Then he always says: I understand. He has the captain in front of him who is having a great season, scoring a lot and providing a lot of assists. I have noticed lately that he is starting to find it difficult. He trains very well and takes huge steps. In positional games you see that he is becoming increasingly ball-resistant. And then he has to start on the bench every time. That's difficult."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PEPI?
Pepi will continue to fight for his place in the PSV first-team when he returns from the CONCACAF Nations League finals with the USMNT.
However, Bosz cannot guarantee him more starts any time soon, adding: "But he has the American attitude. Lately I have been trying to get them to play together, but if you suddenly start playing with two centre-forwards, you also change the way you play. And there is no reason for that. That's the difficulty for Pepi."