When Matthijs De Light signed for Juventus in 2019, he was regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in the world. He never felt at home while playing in the black and white stripes, but luckily for him, the three-year stay in Italy ended with him joining Bayern in July last year. It was a good decision.De Ligt scores just after literally clearing it on the line. That’s some CB pic.twitter.com/a95AcuQUkQ— Der Kaiser™️ (@DerKaiserBM) March 4, 2023 Last weekend, Bayern got a good 2-1 win at Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, and De Ligt was one of the best performers. In the 37th minute, he made a last-ditch clearance to save his net after a mistake by goalkeeper Yann Sommer. And three minutes later, the Dutchman scored to make it 1-0 with a fine shot from outside the box. The 23-year-old defender is delighted to have been named player of the match in this way. “I usually score with my head, but it was something new this time. I’m very happy that I was important for the team today.”On both sides of the field, although he was not entirely blameless for the late goal the Bavarians conceded. “I’m very happy that we won. The goal we conceded was difficult. I had another player in my sights. Then I was a millimetre too late.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7068328##In general, the defender has found his way around Munich better and better since the season restarted after the World Cup. He takes on more responsibility and is almost always in the starting eleven, partly due to the absence of the injured Lucas Hernandez. It’s good for his development.The former Ajax captain will be in Julian Nagelsmann’s starting eleven again on Wednesday against Paris Saint-Germain, in the round of 16 second leg of the UEFA Champions League – alongside Dayot Upamecano and probably Josip Stanisic. It’s a new-look back three under construction, which transforms into a back four when defending as Alphonso Davies drops deeper. Julian Nagelsmann on de Ligt: “Matthijs has had an exceptionally good development. What sets him apart is that desire to defend. He more than lives up to his job description as a defender.” pic.twitter.com/Bop2hs9apU— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) March 5, 2023 De Ligt started 16 of the last 20 games for Germany’s most successful club, scoring twice. He prides himself in doing the so-called dirty work on the pitch.”The dirty work is so important. People call it dirty, but I find it really nice. To head the ball away, to win duels. I’m quite an old-school defender in that way. You have a lot of defenders now who just stay in position, cover the spaces. But I also like to defend one-on-one, battle against the opponent.”
